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Home , 2929 Entertainment, Adam Anders, AGBO, Alexis Martin Woodall, Ann Sarnoff, Cathy Yan

Untitled-24 1 11/30/20 12:46 PM DEALMAKERS IMPACT REPORT

HOW AND SET THE TRAP FOR TWISTY THRILLER ‘’ BY KATE AURTHUR AND MATT DONNELLY Untitled-16 1 12/4/20 4:02 PM 12.09.2020 VARIETY ● 3

P.32 Women on the Verge By Carey Mulligan and Emerald Kate Fennell give thriller Aurthur "Promising Young Woman" and Matt a genre-bending twist Donnelly

P.42 Getting More Creative

FEATURES The independent biz By has found inventive ways to Brent Lang make movies and distribute and Matt their content during lockdown Donnelly P. P.48 Setting the Stage

Theater veteran George C. By Wolfe talks about bringing Jenelle 32 48 August Wilson’s “Ma Rainey’s Riley Black Bottom” to the screen ng; : Bjorn Krischker/Oribe/frankagency; ng; Hair: Bjorn Krischker/Oribe/frankagency;

P.32 Muligan’s Styling: Nicky Yates; Makeup: Jo Baker; Hair: Halley Brisker; Fennell’s Styling: Colomba Giacomin; Makeup: Lucy Weari Styling: Colomba Giacomin; Makeup: Fennell’s Hair: Halley Brisker; Jo Baker; Makeup: Muligan’s Styling: Nicky Yates; (Cover) Muligan’s Blue Top: Carolina Herrera; Ear Cuff: Delfina Deletraz; Fennell’s Jumpsuit: Ong-Oaj Pairam Fennell’s Cuff: Delfina Deletraz; Ear Herrera; Carolina Muligan’s Blue Top: (Cover)

Cover photograph by Zoe McConnell 4 ● CONTENTS 12.09.2020

P.63 Dealmakers Impact Report: Checking in with key insiders behind such hits FOCUS as “Top Gun: Maverick” (below)

P.95 Location Update: How are some major spots faring during the pandemic?

BIZ + BUZZ

P.13 22

P.13 Warner Bros.’ bold move to release its 2021 slate on HBO Max signals big changes for distribution models

P.16 New audiences are flocking to Black sitcoms from the ’90s-’00s on

P.18 Global streamers face a legislative showdown in Europe

P.20 Discovery’s alliance with rival A&E ripples through the streaming biz

P.22 Awards Circuit: Some actors are over- P.45P.63 due for honorary Oscar consideration

FILM

“” P.127

OUR TOWN ARTISANS REVIEWS

TV

“Your Honor” P.129 P.25 30 P.123 125 P.127 129

P.25 Just for Variety: Sienna Miller on P.123 “Promising Young Woman” production , Netflix's holiday designer Perry used color to party plans and more inform lead character’s journey

P.26 Hairstylist John Ruggiero takes P.124 Baobab Studios partnered with U.N. vintage- project for a spin for climate change-themed VR short

P.30 Dirt: Mega-producer Jerry P.125 DP Matthew Libatíque gives Ryan Bruckheimer lists penthouse Murphy’s “The Prom” a look of realism FACETIME P.130 Julia Hart

Variety, VOL. 350, NO. 6 (USPS 146-820, ISSN 0011-5509) is published weekly, except the first week of September and the last week of December, with 21 special issues: Jan (6), Feb (1), June (4), July (5), and Aug (5) by Variety Media LLC, 11175 Santa Monica Blvd., , CA 90025, a division of Penske Business Media. Periodicals postage paid at Los Angeles, CA and at other mailing offices. Postmaster send address changes to: Variety, P.O. Box 15759, North , CA 91615-5759. Canada Post International Publications Mail Product (Canadian Distribution) Publications Mail Agreement No. 40043404. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: RCS International Box 697 STN A, Windsor, Ontario N9A 6N4. Sales agreement No. 0607525. Variety ©2020 by Variety Media, LLC. Variety and the Flying V logo are of Penske Business Media. Printed in the U.S.A. Top Gun: Maverick: ; Hart: Studios Pictures; Gun: Maverick: Paramount Top Untitled-14 1 12/4/20 4:01 PM OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE IN A COMEDY SERIES

Untitled-1 1 12/7/20 11:25 AM OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES JASON SUDEIKIS

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES HANNAH WADDINGHAM JUNO TEMPLE

Untitled-1 2 12/7/20 11:25 AM 8 ● MASTHEAD 12.09.2020

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:DOW'LVQH\ Terms were not disclosed, but the deal is 6WDUV TV Group said to be between $300 million and $400 of The Biggest million. The pact includes Dylan’s best- 8QGHUJRHV known works, “Blowin’ in the Wind,” 8SFRPLQJ 5HRUJDQL]DWLRQ “ They Are A-Changin’,” TV Stories of /D\RЏV “Like a ,” “Lay Lady 3UHPLHUHV 2 Lay,” “Forever Young,” “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” and “Tangled in the Week From Dana Walden, chairman of entertainment Blue.” According to UMPG, his songs at Television, announced have been recorded more than 6,000 that the Walt Disney TV Group is being times over the past six , by a Our Reporters reorganized, with a number of high-pro- vast array of artists all across the world. file executives moving to new roles. — Jem Aswad Compiled by Joe Otterson Among those, Karey Burke will move from head of ABC Entertainment to a new position as president of studio 20th Television. Craig Erwich, longtime head of originals at , will add oversight of ABC Entertainment to his purview. Touchstone Television, previously known as Fox 21 Television Studios, will be folded into 20th TV, with longtime studio head Bert Salke transitioning to a producing deal. As part of the restruc- turing, the TV Group will also see major layoffs, with several long-serving net- Gabriel Iglesias work and studio executives departing. Felicity Mr. Iglesias — Daniel Holloway and Elaine Low +XЏPDQ%RRNV Vscore = 56 First TV Role Instructively, his score has ͡ЕHU3ULVRQ improved two :DUQHUWR5HOHDVH 6HQWHQFH points since 4 Nov. 1. )LOP6ODWHRQ +%20D[ Felicity Huffman and “The Peanut Butter Falcon” star Zack Gottsagen are McConnell Images; Dornan: Photograph by Zoe Wire/PA PA Cookson: s: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Images; attached to lead a comedy at ABC that 1 has landed a production commit- ment. The role would mark a return In a surprising break from industry standards, Warner Bros.’ to acting for Huffman, who recently entire 2021 slate — a list of 17 films that includes “The Matrix completed a short prison sentence for 4,” Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” remake, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s %RE'\ODQ involvement in the national Reign Edwards musical adaptation of “In the Heights,” the “Sopranos” prequel admissions scandal. She would play The Wilds “The Many Saints of Newark” and “The Suicide Squad” — will 6HOOV&DWDORJ the owner of a minor league baseball Vscore = 53 debut both on HBO Max and in theaters on their respective WR8QLYHUVDO team, with Gottsagen as her son. The Her seven-point gain in just over release dates. The move to release films day-and-date under- project is inspired by Susan Savage, Music a month is hardly scores the crisis facing movie theaters and the rising impor- 3XEOLVKLQJ -life owner of the Triple-A accidental. tance of streaming services in the wake of a global health 3 world-champion Sacramento River Cats. crisis that has decimated the film exhibition community. The Huffman previously starred on the ABC studio previously announced an identical strategy with the Legendary musician Bob Dylan has sold hit dramedy “Desperate Housewives” highly anticipated sequel “.” That film his entire song catalog, encompassing and the critically acclaimed ABC shows will debut in theaters and on HBO Max on Christmas Day. more than 600 copyrights spanning 60 “American Crime” and “Sports Night.” — Rebecca Rubin and Matt Donnelly years, to Universal Music Publishing. — Joe Otterson

Jack Bannon It’s 40 minutes till . Kate Aurthur The “Wild Mountain Pennyworth Find out how to watch Variety’s @KateAurthur Thyme” star on his Vscore = 52 annual #Hitmakers program at new movie Holy origin story! the link in bio. Jax and Brittany are gone from He’s up three #VanderpumpRules. ticks ahead of 87.8k likes 13,659 views Season 2. 8QFRYHUHG

“I was initially inspired by the grade of the “I was working with such a great team, so film, so wanted to create something with a everything went super smoothly, despite all Sophie Cookson pink-and-blue color palette, working that the difficulties we all have working during a The Trial of through both the styling and location,” says pandemic. Carey arrived clutching a coffee ‘for Christine Keeler Zoe McConnell, who shot “Promising Young the boss,’ which I thought was a nice touch — Vscore = 49 Just three points Woman” writer-director Emerald Fennell and respect!” McConnell’s work has appeared in better since Nov. 1?

star Carey Mulligan in London on Oct. 23. Vanity Fair, Elle and . That’s scandalous. Images (2); Edward Images; Iglesias, Bannon: Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP Robbins/AP Images; Dylan: Jeff Huffman: Michael Dwyer/AP 12.09.2020 FIELD NOTES ● 11

Time-Honored Music Rights and Theatrical Windows Are A-Changin’

This past week saw two landmark deals that can All we know for certain is that this will have a best be collectively summed up by Bob Dylan’s profound impact on the entire ecosystem of the title song from his iconic 1964 album “The Times business, which has already been rapidly shifting They Are A-Changin’,” which the legendary song- in the digital age. writer-singer described as an “anthem of change There are so many unanswered questions about for the moment.” what the actual financial terms of Warner Bros.’ A new moment for Dylan, 79, has been marked new distribution model will look like for theater by the just-announced sale of his catalog of 600 operators and for top actors and directors whose copyrights, spanning seven decades, to Universal traditional lucrative backend deals have always Music Group Publishing. The agreement is being been based on box office success. Some aren’t tak- called the most significant music publishing deal ing the news lightly. , of the century. which co-financed two of the films headed to HBO In another startling sign-of-the-times moment, Max, “Dune” and “Godzilla vs. Kong,” is threat- Warner Bros.’ near-century standing in the big- ening to sue Warner, and “Dune” director Denis screen movie business was turned on its head Dec. Villeneuve and others are said to be very rattled. 3 when WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar dropped If anything seems certain, it’s that the days of EDITOR-IN-CHIEF the bombshell that the studio’s entire 2021 slate the exclusive three-month-long theatrical runway of 17 films were going to debut on HBO Max the that movies have enjoyed before landing at home same time they open in theaters. are over. As Dylan’s ageless lyrics remind: Everyone in the press, Hollywood and the “Come gather ’round people wherever you roam / investment community is scrambling to figure And admit that the waters around you have grown out what the reverberations of this bold move / And accept it that soon you’ll be drenched to the will mean for all of the stakeholders: the theater bone / If your time to you is worth savin’ / Then chains, the creative talent and their representa- you better swimmin’ or you’ll sink like a stone Claudia Eller tives, producers and Warner’s rivals. / For the times they are a-changin’.”

There are so many unanswered questions about what the actual financial terms of Warner Bros.’ new distribution model will look like.”

12.09.2020 VARIETY ● 13 BIZ+ BUZZ

Warner Bros.’ HBO Blowing Up Old Norms Max move is a sign that Hollywood’s old way of doing business is being swept aside by streaming

By Brent Lang and Rebecca Rubin

For nearly a century, Warner Bros. has been in the big-screen business. From the gangster pictures that defined its Depression-era offerings to the “” movies that ushered in its blockbuster phase, the studio has focused on creating stories so action- packed, so need-to-see, that they are tailor-made to lure people from their homes and separate cinemagoers from their hard-earned cash. In the process, the studio helped establish Hollywood as the movie of the world. But a pandemic has a way of drasti- cally changing things. Last week, Warner Bros. announced that due to the COVID- induced shutdown of most cinemas in key cities across America, it would release its 2021 slate simultaneously in theaters and Illustration by Zohar Lazar opened, thedirector ofablockbuster or performance. TheMonday after amovie a filmcouldbemeasured inbox office points. It usedtobethatthesuccessof are tiedtoafilm’s box officeperformance. tors aportionoftheback-end dealsthat a formulatopayleadingactorsanddirec- that Warner Bros. isstillcomingupwith prior totheannouncement.Insiderssay the agencies thatrepresent thekey talent filmmakers behindthemovies andwith only cursorydiscussions with themajor for buildingupastreaming platform.” movie businesstreated asjust avehicle to outdatedmodels, butitissadtoseethe want tobeoneofthosepeopleclinging at NYU’s TischSchooloftheArts. “Idon’t former studio executive andaprofessor the organization,” saysJoe Pichirallo, a favorites like “TheQueen’s Gambit.” Mandalorian” andNetflix water cooler answer toDisneyPlushitslike “The arm gives the streaming serviceitsown buzz-less haze. Thisneeded shot inthe else, onlytoseeitdebutlast springina tized thelaunchofHBOMax above all telecommunications gianthaspriori- Since buyingTimeWarner in2018, the its Dallas-based parent company, AT&T. a decisionthatwas eagerly endorsed by studio’s Burbankheadquarters, butit’s may have beenannouncedoutofthe and commerce dictatedthisdecision.” an artformthatdependsoncommerce, are thebest way toseemovies, butwe’re cer David Permut. “Istillthinktheaters times,” says veteran Hollywood produ- by thestreaming revolution. that thefilmbusinessisbeingsubsumed during apublichealthcrisis, andasign skittishness aboutvisiting multiplexes were already reeling from audiences’ costs. It’s ablow tomovie theaters, which resenting some$2 billioninproduction “Judas andtheBlackMessiah” —allrep- as well asawards seasonhopefuls like such as“TheSuicideSquad” and “Dune,” special-effects-heavy tentpolepictures on HBOMax. Thatincludessprawling, 14 extend beyond hammering outdeal studio executives were ableto have But, there are cultural impactsthat The move was madesohastilythat “Warner Bros. was thecrown jewel of Indeed, Warner Bros.’ HBOMax move “It’s shiftingsands and changing ● BIZ + BUZZ and Warner Bros. Now, oneofthosesix, Paramount, Universal, 20thCenturyFox, the sixmajorstudios —Disney, , is changing. Five years ago, there were ferent way ofevaluating success.” HBO Max, that’s going torequire adif- but onhow movies drive subscribers to the emphasisnotonbox office grosses ects you could make. If we’re now putting and thatimpactedyour feesand the proj- impacted one’s standingintheindustry used tobethatbox officesuccess inside thebusiness,” says Pichirallo. “It game ofwho’s upandwho’s down. scrambles the favorite Hollywood parlor success orfailure ofafilm. That further impossible, toreadily determinethe on theirservice, makingitharder, ifnot how movies ortelevisionshows perform streamers are loathtoprovide dataabout and bombed,takingtheheatoff. Now, weeks, atleastuntilanotherfilmopened clear ofthestudiocommissaryforafew behind aturkey knewitwas wisetosteer Grill ontheAlley. Andthecreative team of “thetown” whilehaving lunchatthe in thecollective envy andadmiration the starofanewfranchise couldbask of evaluating success.” — Joe Pichirallo to HBOMax, that’s going to require adifferent way office grosses but onhow movies drive subscribers If we’re now putting the emphasisnot onbox But thewholenotionof“thetown” “It impactshow we now definesuccess but perhapsmore thanothers, it’s one Hollywood hasalways beena business, filmmakers.to movie theaters and Wall Street, andwithoutmuch regard being madewithasharpereye toward much profit aspossible.” stockholders. Theywant towringas program. “All ofthesecompanieshave Tisch SchooloftheArts’MBA/MFA producer Peter Newman, theheadof show, it'sabottom-linebusiness,” says — rewriting thehistory of movies. man AnnSarnoff, alongtimeTV exec merly WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar, for- to theworld ofmotionpictures — like That’s resulted inrelative newcomers WarnerMedia — AT&T.of owning Amazon, Apple, Netflix and—by dint and Universal, but also techgiantslike players suchasDisneyof traditional capital. Theneweliteiscomposed have decampedfortheentertainment former selves. Paramount andSony are shellsoftheir Fox, hasbeenabsorbedintoDisney, and kers, many withSiliconValley , There's nodenying thatdecisions are “With Jason andAnnrunningthe Plus, anewgroup ofpower bro- of Hulu, andWarner Bros. chair- HBO Max. in theaters andon debut day-and-date Warner Bros. will the slateof films Ferguson, isamong and Rebecca Timothée Chalamet “Dune,” starring name repeat directors like Christopher maker-friendly studios, attracting big- been considered oneofthemostfilm- iemaking itself. Warner Bros. haslong is almost asrevered an art formasmov- world ofentertainment,schmoozing built onpersonalrelationships. Inthe whole year watching movies athome.” back in2022, have but people spenta Partners. “They cansaythingswillgo and entertainmentanalyst at LightShed behavior,” saysRichGreenfield, amedia permanent implicationstoconsumer window.90-day for rival studiostoadhere tothestandard be thecase. Thatleaves littleincentive one-year plan,” butfewbelieve thatwill Warner Bros.’ hybrid modela“unique wouldn’t Sarnoff beaone-off. called revealing GalGadot’s superhero sequel Day, onlytoscorch earthweeks laterin day-and-date onHBO Max onChristmas “Wonder Woman 1984”would open a smallbombinNovember insaying profits inreturn. Warners thendropped give selecttheatercircuits acutofdigital demand withinweeks oftheirdebutsand would make newreleases available on Pictures announcedmonthsagothatit com monplace. Thatis, untilUniversal month timeframe that’s become industry lost thatbattle, resulting inthethree- sively playincinemas. Studios hadlong the amountoftimeamovie shouldexclu- studios andtheateroperators contested For thebetterpartofpast decade, situation around theatrical windows. tube.” Thatmost aptly describesthe the idiom“Thetoothpasteisoutof try, more thanoneexecutive offered lamenting thechangesroiling theindus- emerge from thepandemic.When has beendiminished.” The relationship part ofthebusiness director andtheirfeelingsrightnow. worrying aboutoneindividualfilmor dollars,” Newman says. “They're not ness, involving hundreds ofbillions six monolithsinthestreaming busi- laborate withthestudio. capacity inwhichtalentchoosestocol- pany’s newworld order couldaffectthe Nolan andClintEastwood. Yet the com- “It's hard toimaginethisdoesn'thave A very different movie businesswill “This isthegreat showdown between 12.09.2020

Chiabella James/Warner Bros. Untitled-17 1 12/4/20 4:04 PM “Girlfriends” stars“ JillJones,GoldenBrooks, Tracee EllisRoss andPersia White. that happen,we were goingtodo,” says into anaudiencethatmissedtheseshows. Netflix camealong. Anditwas eagertotap predominantly AfricanAmericancasts, other sitcomsfrom thatperiodwith cess. Luckily forfansof“Girlfriends” and cover pro- thatpriceyandtime-consuming to comeupwithalicensefeethatmight the shows’ entire libraries. most oftheseshows, tostrike adealfor utors like CBS, whichowns therightsto had madeitcost-prohibitive fordistrib- CW SeedandPlutoTV. But musicrights available streamers like onad-supported Lead’s editorialcontent. who untilrecently oversaw Strong Black to watch ‘,’” saysJasmyn Lawson, wanting towatch ‘Sister, Sister,’ wanting get peopleaskingabout‘Girlfriends,’ talking aboutinthezeitgeist, we would new show oranything elsethatwe were UPN —inthelate1990sandearly2000s. on broadcast TV— mostly TheWBand hunger fortheBlack-led sitcomsthatran the service. Top ofthelistwas aspecific kind ofacquisitionsthey’d like toseeon marketing team’s socialchannelsonthe launched in2018, fansbeganpitchingthe Soon afterNetflix’s Strong BlackLead By MichaelSchneider Are BeingRediscovered Early ’00sand Late ’90s Black Sitcoms of the 16 G irlfriends” stars Jill “Whatever we neededtodomake It takes real interest from athird party Some episodesofthoseshows were “Every timewe would postabouta ● BIZ + BUZZ Jon on n es, G olden Brook s, T racee EllisRoss andPersia White. that viewers whowatched “Girlfriends” in know. Theseshows matternow.” of whatwe’ve beensayingandwhatwe here’s your chancetocatchupanaspect were overlooked backintheday. Andnow, in allareas oflife,” Akil says. “Theseshows been saying BlackLives Matter, itmatters can finallycheckthemout.“Whenwe’ve sitcoms’ initialrunsonTheWBorUPN first time. Plus, peoplewhoignored these new generation canbingetheseriesfor their youth canrevisit itasadults, whilea are there; thedemandisthere.” reboot orreunion movie: “Thenumbers rule outthepossibilityofa“Girlfriends” new shows forthestreamer. Shedoesn’t is basedatNetflix, where she’s developing tion comesascreator Mara Brock Akilnow ism,” Lawson says. moments tolaugh,ofescap- were justlookingformomentsofjoy, cifically forBlackcommunities, people Lawson credits thetiming. “Ithinkspe- the successoftheseacquired shows, but when itdebutedontheserviceinAugust. quickly hitNetflix’s most-watched list ing shows inOctober, while“Moesha” it ontoNielsen’s ranker oftop10stream- appetite was there: “Sister, made Sister” The shows maybe20years old,butthe make theirway toNetflix thisyear. would “One onOne”and“Half &Half” Parkers,” “Girlfriends,” “TheGame,” July that“Sister, Sister,” “Moesha,” “The acquisition atNetflix. Bradley Edwards, manager ofcontent But fornow, Akiliscontentwiththefact Coincidentally, the“Girlfriends” acquisi- Not onlydidnostalgiaplayarole in That allledtotheannouncementin andentertainment division, which canworkagainst shows withthehighest led bybeastlyreality zeitgeist in2020.The w s l Netflix hasthelion’s series intheU.S.for Communications’ mobility documentary features. He had beenVPof nonfiction former CEO of Eagle Rock spike lastyear,like the year,asmeasured streamer haseightof s year-over-year spike 2019 trendinglist). join Netflix asdirector of is leaving Disney Plus to is leavingDisneyPlus originals atDisneyPlus. Studios, anewunitthat by Googlesearches, the 10top-trending show “TigerKing.” (No. 5onGoogle’s share —ortiger’s share? —oftheTV CFO of WarnerMedia. includes Eagle Rock. “” sustained period, series withabig in trafficovera lead UMG’sMercury Rankings reflect Entertainment, will has beennamed Jennifer Biry, CFO for AT&T Alice Webb, Dan Silver IN

NETFLIX’S BUZZYTVYEAR His lastshowsonthenetwork has left Keshet Studiosafter six years asheadof scripted for theU.S. armof theIsraeli sportswriter andradio host. 5. TheQueen’s Gambit TV giant.Shehasanoverall three years asSiri’schief will partwayswithESPN advanced development. deal atWarner Bros. TV. (Netflix/YouTube) architect. Heheadsto Roku asseniorVPof 4. TheUmbrella has left Appleafter after 22years asa 1. TigerKing are setfor Jan.4. Brian Pinkerton 2. CobraKai Rachel Kaplan Dan Le Betard (Netflix) (Netflix) (Netflix) (Netflix) 3. Ozark Academy OUT

engagement atPaley Center for Warner Music. Chappell 10. TheLastDance for Mediaafterfour years topresident of IFC . has advanced togeneral Networks’ indiefilmunit diversity, inclusion and She isbasedinBeijing. 9. AllAmerican 6. LittleFires has beennamedVPof (ESPN/Netflix) 7. OuterBanks She’sbeenwithAMC has beenpromoted manager of Everywhere 8. Ratched at thenonprofit. Jamitha Fields Arianna Bocco (Netflix) (Netflix) (The CW) since 2006. (Hulu) June Gao UP 12.09.2020

Silver: Disney; Kaplan: Michael Buckner/Variety; Fields: The Paley Center for Media; King, The Last Dance: Netflix (2); Girlfriends: Paramount Television/Everett Collection ‘‘ A TIMELY, POETIC ADAPTATION AS LAYERED AS THE BLACK EXPERIENCE IN AMERICA ”

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“EXCELLENT PERFORMANCES ” “ POWERFUL & DEEPLY INTIMATE ” “ MASTERFUL PERFORMANCES ”

“A VISUAL ODE TO BLACK STRUGGLE, LOVE AND LIFE CREATES A TAPESTRY OF HISTORY AND ART”

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A key piece of Europe’s Streaming legislation demands more local content Showdown from streaming giants Comes to a Head

By Nick Vivarelli

“The dialogue is open and constructive. Of course, we don’t agree on everything, but there is a positive dialogue,” says a Netflix spokesperson, who commented only on French negotiations. “We want to continue to invest significantly in France, and we want to be a long-term partner for the entire French creative community and to make a positive impact.” An Amazon spokesperson said the company has "engaged with producer bodies … to discuss Prime Video’s future investments in France." Across Europe, there is also the mat- A velvet-gloved showdown brewing ter of whether Netflix and other U.S. between European governments and streamers should be allowed to benefit U.S. streamers is set to reshape the from the vast reservoir of European soft European Union’s production landscape money that spans from regional funds to and could reverberate beyond Brussels national tax rebates. in years to come. In Italy, the key negotiator is Giancarlo Just as streaming giants score legions Leone, who heads Italian TV producers’ of new subscribers globally due to the association APA and is proposing to set coronavirus — and gain unprecedented the investment quota for streamers at 20% leverage around the world — legislators of revenue, with a lower rate permitted “if and producers across Europe are joining the rules of engagement are regulated.” forces to push Netflix, the EU’s top OTT A key point on the table is that to tap player, as well as , into Italy’s generous tax rebates, stream- Disney Plus and other major streamers, ers would have to commission content to engage in a new set of rules they see as from local producers who get to hold on crucial to preserving Europe’s economic to the IP and are “adequately remuner- and cultural ecosystem. ated.” Another clause is that SVOD rights At the heart of the standoff is the EU’s must revert back to Italian producers Audiovisual Media Services Directive, after no more than five years, and they approved by Brussels in November 2018, are allowed to sell off pay and linear TV which demands more local content from how well these originals have done] and applying pressure on Netflix and other rights after only a year. the SVOD giants. no rights left,” according to Katharina streamers to sit down and negotiate with As 2021 comes into view, discussion is Under the directive, streamers must Hiersemenzel, senior vice president of France’s venerable National Film Board slowly turning to how exactly the stand- offer a 30% quota of European content public policy for German powerhouse (CNC) and other associations to agree on off is going to play out. Tim Westcott, to European subscribers starting in 2021. Constantin Film. rules of engagement that are acceptable a senior analyst at London-based con- On top of that, EU countries can intro- Hiersemenzel happens to be Netflix’s for everyone. sultancy Omdia, notes that the stream- duce nationally tailored legislation to former director of global public policy, “This transposition [into law] of ers generally don’t like to be told what make streamers directly reinvest a per- who left in June to join the “Resident the directive and new obligations for to do. “If they were obliged by law to centage of their revenues within each Evil” producer. She points out that [streaming] platforms will be decisive never keep worldwide rights,” he warns, European territory where they operate. European producers feel they should get for the legacy of Macron’s mandate,” “there’s a risk they wouldn’t do as many Currently, parliaments in key countries “concrete insight” on viewing figures for says prominent French producer Marc deals with European producers" above across Europe — notably France, Italy their shows and receive “a proportion- Missonnier (“8 Women"), a key negoti- what they will be legally required to do. and Germany — are scrambling to meet ate and fair participation” when certain ator in France’s upcoming legislation, If that rule prevails, “they would just the January 2021 deadline. viewing milestones are reached. Netflix expected this month. look elsewhere for work-for-hire pro- Core to the inevitable clash, however, is notorious for withholding from pro- France is asking that between 20%- ducers,” Westcott adds. is that while American producers can ducers detailed information on views. 25% of a streamer’s local revenues from That might be true, but the Brussels negotiate a premium fee with streamers Not surprisingly, the government of subscriptions be invested in European Effect is that from January 2021 on, in and Hollywood studios, when Netflix and France, known for fiercely defending product and 85% spent on French- order to grow and evolve in the EU — an other streamers commission originals in its culture and industry, is spearhead- language content, the bulk of which essential subscriber base — the stream- Europe, they allegedly pay local prices for ing the European effort, with President must be commissioned to independent Illustration by ers will have no choice but to come to global shows, “with no additional upside Emmanuel Macron personally involved French producers, who’d be able to get Giacomo the table. Elsa Keslassy contributed to this report. in case of success, no transparency [on and said by several sources to be some upside. Gambineri YOUR WORLD, REIMAGINED WITH SPECTACLES

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Untitled-14 1 11/19/20 10:01 PM for Streaming Launch NetworksSeries Rival A+E Discovery Makes Use of Rick Harrison,Corey Russell HarrisonandChumlee of “Pawn Stars” tomer mightnoteven realize thatA+E tion last week. Anunsuspectingcus- and CEOofDiscovery, inapresenta- History,” saidDavid Zaslav, chairman to Lifetime, Food toA&E,Discovery to service withmore , from HGTV popular channels. “We willprovide a tion ofseriesfrom some ofA+E’s most like TLCandFood Network, are aselec- grams from itsproprietary cableoutlets, Plus streaming service. Amongthepro- last week whenitunveiled itsDiscovery different story. ing-video subscriptions, well, it’s avery the other. Inthebattletowinstream- ther company would liftafingertohelp Afraid” and“My BigFat Fabulous Life.” has boostedshows including“Naked and “Ice Road Truckers,” whileDiscovery for seriessuchas“Storage Wars” and ple from oddwalks oflife. A+E is known history, nature andjustplainbizarre peo- ated onunscriptedprogramming about attention from consumerswhoare fix- long beenfierce TVrivals, battlingfor than others. of theways have beenmore surprising have upendedtheindustry—andsome Hollywood’s frantic streaming wars By BrianSteinberg 20 Discovery captured industry attention In therace togainTVratings, nei- A+E Networks andDiscovery have ● BIZ + BUZZ PD” orthelong-running “Pawn Stars.” series suchasthenow-canceled “Live tocatchthe public’stinued fancywith hours oflibrary content,andhascon- licensing rightstotensofthousands well asDiscovery. The company controls ing itsproperties toPeacock andHulu as has foundnewrevenue streams by licens- owned by Walt DisneyandHearst, and streaming hub. A+ENetworks isjointly for itsstreaming use. out otheroutlets’nonfictionprograms the service. Discovery could alsoseek comCBS’ “” tolure fansto HBO Max, forexample, isusingVia- their own umbrella. WarnerMedia’s reasons are likely tobefoundunder with theirdollars—andnotallofthose need togive consumersreasons topart streaming outlets subscription-driven Worldwide Pants. produced by HBO andDavid Letterman’s “Everybody Loves Raymond,” asitcom ner Bros.’ “Two andaHalf Men” and new Peacock hubisthatitoffers War- the sellingpointsofNBCUniversal’s eyebrow-raising contentpacts. Oneof and A+Earen’t theonlyonesstriking from thestreaming business. Discovery some ofthenewrevenues expected all betsare offwhenitcomestogetting obvious competitors. are owned by oneofDiscovery’s most holdings like Lifetime, A&E andHistory heft required tostart anindependent Other companiessimplylackthe Simply put,companiesthatlaunch The allianceisthelatest signalthat

Adult Swim12-Minute Original;streaming2020includes Quibishort-formseries. Sources: Variety Insight; VarietyIntelligencePlatform analysis.Cablefigureincludes shows nowbackinproduction, it'slikely that2021mayreverse the shift. traditional TVwasalready migrating contenttonewstreaming services.With that COVID-19 causedearlierintheyear,hittingsupplychainshard as (reality TV,documentary) series.Thedeclineisduetotheproduction shutdown includes onlyscripted(adult ,comedy,drama) and unscripted Insight thatVariety analyzed.Notably,thisfigure IntelligencePlatform new episodes,downfrom 2019'srecord 1,593,basedupondatafrom Variety past decade.Bytheendof 2020there willhavebeen1,534originalswith finally sawanendtotheconsistentgrowth thathasoccurred across the series withnewepisodesonbroadcast, cableandsubscriptionstreaming Pandemic-ridden 2020marks theyearnumberof originaltelevision 500 1,000 1,500 0 Total broadcast 2010 748 133 1 VARIETY INTELLIGENCEPLATFORM 2011 150 963 5 For moredatafromVIP+,visit 1,055 2012 179 9 A PAUSEINPEAKTV 1,156 2013 187 30 VIP+ Total cable By GavinBridge 1,173 2014 196 33 1,151 2015 202 81 1,092

2016 211 187 variety.com/vip Total subscriptionstreaming 1,066 2017 251 221 2018 209 378 976 2019 473 215 905 12.09.2020 2020 185 712 637

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Untitled-10 1 12/3/20 4:06 PM 22 ● BIZ + BUZZ 12.09.2020

For Your Honorary Consideration George Kraychyk//Everett Collection; Collection; Pictures/Everett George Kraychyk/Universal Why it’s time to give Harrison Ford, Danny Glover and Jamie Lee Curtis an Oscar By Clayton Davis

The Oscars don’t always get it right, JAMIE LEE CURTIS Weapon” franchise, but his acting contri- butions have been plentiful. In addition to and that’s why they have the Honorary Our favorite “ queen,” has been his abusive husband in ’s Award. Countless actors and actresses a pillar of the industry. It’s time for the “The Color Purple” and his underrated have contributed greatly to the cine- Oscars to acknowledge her impact. “True turn in Charles Burnett’s “To Sleep With matic medium, but not every impact Lies” was also a major miss for AMPAS. is deemed “Oscar-worthy.” Until the Anger,” Glover has lent his signature Academy at large begins embracing all LORETTA DEVINE presence to “” and “Beyond genres and performance, the prize is Devine is one of those actors who is the Lights.” given to reward a career that has had always a recognizable and appreci- HARRISON FORD an influence in film. ated presence. Her roles in “Waiting to Arguably one of the biggest stars in all of The honor was created for achieve- Exhale” and “Crash” are just the tip of cinema history, the 78-year-old has mus- ments not covered by existing compet- the iceberg of her four-decade career. tered just one nomination in his career itive categories and has been used for BRAD DOURIF (for “Witness”). He’s had roles in eight a few “course corrections” or signifi- The voice of Chucky may be the first thing best picture nominees, including Indiana cant milestones worth celebrating. In movie lovers recall, but the 70-year-old Jones in “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and Han AWARDS CIRCUIT the past, the special award has been has starred in two picture nominees Solo in “Star Wars.” He has a few snubs bestowed on artists such as , (“Mississippi Burning,” “Lord of the Rings: to boot, most notably for “The Fugitive.” , , Donald Others to The Two Towers”) and two winners (“One consider: SIGOURNEY WEAVER Sutherland and most recently David Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” “LOTR: Film Awards Editor Clayton Davis Jane Alexander, Lynch, Wes Studi and Lina Wertmüller, The Return of the King”). The former “Get away from her, you bitch” is a line provides his analysis, (“Seven Beauties”), the first female Richard Gere, that is entrenched in our cinematic got him an acting nom. Honoring Dourif predictions and perspective directing nominee. , psyches. Besides Ripley in “Aliens,” the would recognize not just the horror genre Marsha Mason, on the battle for Oscars, Golden There’s no limit to the number of three-time Oscar nominee is one of only a but an actor with five decades of service. Edward James Globes and other honors. awards that can be handed out each year, few actors to win a pair of Golden Globes DANNY GLOVER Olmos, and giving suggestions can be . Martin Sheen, on the same night (for “Gorillas in the Below are my recommendations for the In pop culture, the 74-year-old may be Liv Ullman, Mist” and “Working Girl”). It’s about

Academy to consider. Lieutenant Murtaugh of the “Lethal Bruce Willis time she was given the Oscar spotlight. Collection; Chucky: Everett Collection; Ford: Film/Everett 20th Century Fox Collection; Weaver: Brothers/Everett Glover: Warner Collection Film/Everett Century Fox Collection; Devine: Nicola Goode/20th Curtis: MGM/Everett ADVERTISEMENT

Donations of Appreciated Stock Unlock Charitable Currency, Bring Fulfi llment By Steve Gamer

A few years ago, the Jewish Community composite of several actual Foundation donors. stock aff ords Michelle considerable tax benefi ts; Foundation of Los Angeles (The Foundation) A single parent with two teenagers, Michelle is a it’s increased her personal cash-fl ow by reducing ran an advertisement with an attention-grabbing long-tenured executive with a leading, publicly reliance on her salary for charitable contributions; headline: To open a charitable fund there, a traded media and entertainment company. it’s brought predictability and allowed her to step person didn’t need to be a millionaire just a She is fortunate to earn a healthy salary, but up annual charitable giving; and, drawing on The mensch – Yiddish for a good person of integrity after retirement-plan contributions, taxes, Foundation’s resources available to its donors, it and honor. mortgage, private school and summer camp has enabled her to become more strategic with tuitions, synagogue membership and living her philanthropy, focusing on causes which are As vice president of advancement at The costs, her available dollars for charity were not personally meaningful. Foundation, it is my privilege to work on a daily commensurate with the level at which she desired basis with many of our donors – both people to give. with wealth and of comparatively ordinary A FEW OTHER TIPS means – and I can tell you with absolute certainty Michelle’s CPA pointed out that her cash There are a few important considerations to that being a millionaire and a mensch are not donations each year – essentially what we keep in mind if you’re considering contributing mutually exclusive propositions. What unites the call “checkbook giving” – were too large in appreciated assets to a DAF: charitable-minded is a commitment to giving relation to her cash-fl ow and also haphazard, back and of making the world a better place – not strategically implemented. The CPA then • Stock (or other assets) need to be held one the precept of tikkun olam – while ingraining provided Michelle with an alternative – what year or more to eliminate capital gains on the philanthropy within their guiding principles. became her “ah-ha” charitable moment. sale and deduct the FMV of the donation. For hundreds of our donors, their instruments of • Upon receipt of the stock, The Foundation choice are donor-advised funds (DAFs) – controls the sales process – immediately in essentially a charitable-giving account – most cases but entirely at its discretion. established at and administrated by The GOT • Gifting of restricted stock is possible, but any Foundation. DAFs are among the most popular, restrictions must be reviewed carefully to fastest-growing philanthropic vehicles in the determine if transfer is permitted. Additionally, – and for good reason. DAFs restrictions will aff ect the valuation of the stock allow donors to: contribute to funds that they STOCK? for charitable-deduction purposes. establish, recognize a fair-market-value (FMV) tax deduction on their donations (presuming you itemize and not take the standard deduction), EXPERT IN COMPLEX and then enjoy the fl exibility of recommending ASSETS grants to a virtual limitless range of nonprofi ts The Foundation and its professionals possess on their own timetable – immediately or in a deep reservoir of knowledge to assist donors the future. For a comparatively small annual with charitable-gift planning related to a myriad administrative fee, DAFs aff ord many benefi ts of sophisticated assets beyond stocks and bonds. of a private foundation: Donors are free to We have worked with donors and their advisers experience the joys of charitable giving and in structuring gifts of such assets as real estate, focus on their philanthropic passions, while privately held business interests (including leaving all the administrative and investment In each of the past 15 years, Michelle has received C-Corp, limited partnership and limited liability management entirely to The Foundation. an annual offi cers’ stock grant of company shares company), and private-equity fund investments, as part of her total compensation. Other than among other assets. UNLOCKING CHARITABLE drawing off some of the dividend yield from these shares, Michelle had never sold any stock, To explore smart charitable giving strategies – CURRENCY the earliest of which have appreciated nearly and the fulfi llment that comes with it – at this The popularity of DAFs is, in no small measure, four-fold since her fi rst award in 2004. If Michelle time when it matters most, as well as ways to due to the ability they aff ord donors to sells those shares, she stands to incur signifi cant amplify the impact of your philanthropy, please contribute other assets, besides cash, to their capital-gains taxes on the appreciation, visit www.jewishfoundationla.org or contact funds, including publicly traded stocks and depending how long the stock was held. us at (323) 761-8704, or development@ bonds, real estate and ownership interests in jewishfoundationla.org. To help Michelle fulfi ll her charitable ambitions, businesses, principally LLCs, and receive that her CPA suggested an alternative: She would same FMV deduction on their contribution. But ABOUT THE AUTHOR establish a DAF at The Foundation that each wait, there’s more: Through gifts of appreciated year she funds with a contribution of appreciated Steve Gamer is vice president of advancement for the assets, donors can potentially eliminate the company shares equivalent to her desired Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles, which capital-gains tax liability which you would incur donation, thereby enabling the most favorable manages more than $1.3 billion in charitable assets if you sold the assets yourself and then donated income-tax result each year. Generally, Michelle’s and distributed $129 million in grants in 2019 to the proceeds, prospectively increasing the oldest shares with the lowest cost-basis are causes locally, nationally and around the world. He amount available to charity by as much as contributed, eliminating the largest potential has 30 years of experience working with individuals, 20 percent. capital-gains tax liability in contrast to if she sold families, corporations and foundations to help them stock and took the proceeds. achieve their philanthropic vision. MICHELLE: FUNDING Since establishing her DAF, each year Michelle PHILANTHROPY WITH has made a regular contribution of shares directly to her charitable fund at The Foundation. APPRECIATED STOCK In turn, The Foundation then sells the shares To illustrate how gifts of appreciated public- and the net proceeds are available to Michelle company stock can become charitable currency, for recommending grants from her fund. The consider the case of Michelle, who represents a advantages have been multi-fold: The contributed

1209 WV Jewish Community Foundation.v4.indd 1 12/4/20 10:16 AM MONDAY, DECEMBER 14 5 PM PT / 8 PM ET

The cast and creators of The Good Lord Bird join Variety’s Michael Schneider for an exclusive Q&A discussing clips from the latest season.

FEATURED SPEAKERS Executive Producer & Star JOSHUA CALEB-JOHNSON Star JAMES MCBRIDE Executive Producer & Author AMY ANDREWS HARRELL Costume Designer Director of Episode 103 JOHN BLACKIE Production Designer

MODERATED BY MICHAEL SCHNEIDER Senior Editor, TV Awards, Variety

REGISTER NOW VARIETY.COM/THEGOODLORDBIRD 12.09.2020 VARIETY ● 25 OUR TOWN

JUST FOR VARIETY (1)1) (5)

(1) Sienna Miller hopes her revelation in Sep- tember that the late (2) Chadwick Boseman gave her some of his salary to make sure she was paid fairly for “” will create change in Holly- wood. “It should get people thinking,” Miller, who stars in writer-director Tara Miele’s new drama “Wander Darkly” with Diego Luna, tells me. “Just take a beat: What that guy did for that woman — what can I do now? Let’s have some more trans-ns- (2)(2) (6) parency,… at least. Let’s be fair.” Netflix’s holiday party is still on. The event usually takes place at (3) Teded Sarandos’ $16 million Hancock Park manse, but this year it will be a COVID-D- e B. Mirador/Sipa USA/AP Images; Trejo: Michael Buckner/Variety; Michael Buckner/Variety; Images; Trejo: USA/AP e B. Mirador/Sipa safe virtual affair on Dec. 11. … (4) Chloé Zhao’s “Nomadland” is coming to Imax. The Searchlight Pictureses film, which features Joshua James Richards’ cinematography and M. Wolf Sny-- der, Sergio Diaz and Zach Seivers' sound design will be enhanced throughh Imax’s digital media re-mastering process. The Frances McDormand starrer willll roll out on Imax in February. Recent awards season favorites to get the Imaxx treatment include “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Free Solo” and “1917.” … (3)3) (7(7)) (5) Nnamdi Asomugha may be one of the greatest players in Oakland Raiders history, but he also had a shot at becoming a great pianist. His music dreams were squashed at 13 when his football coach shamed him for being late to practice. “He brought the team over and said, ‘Nnamdi was late because he had a piano recital,’” Asomugha, who stars in the new drama “Sylvie’s Love,” tells me from the L.A.- area home he shares with wife and their kids. “Everybody started laughing. That was the last time I played .” For the full interview, listen to the Variety and iHeart podcast… “The Big Ticket.” (6) Marlow Barkley, 12, who will co-star with in Netflix’s “Sum- merland,” has signed with Lighthouse Management & Media. She is repped by KMR Talent and Myman Greenspan Fox… Rosenberg Mobasser Younger & Light. (4)(4) (8)8) Have you seen (7) Danny Trejo’s video for Cri-Help, a nonprofit addiction rehab in Los Angeles? The powerful vid has been released ahead of Cri-Help’s 50th anniversary in May and is airing through December for Spectrum subscribers in Los Angeles County on ESPN, CNN, TBS,… TNT and ID. (8) Kevin Bacon is keeping very busy of late, filming Showtime’s “City on the Hill.” He’s also executive producing “Play On: Celebrating the Power of Music to Make Change,” CBS’ Dec. 15 concert special benefiting the NAACP and WhyHunger. He co-hosts with Eve. He’s also a fan of “The Great British Baking Show.” “It’s when I’m in the headspace where I really just want to check out,” he Miller: Andy Kropa/Invision/AP Images; Asomugha: Dominic Chan/Sipa USA/AP Images; Boseman: Chelsea Lauren/WWD; Barkley: Sthanle Images; Boseman: Chelsea Lauren/WWD; USA/AP Images; Asomugha: Dominic Chan/Sipa Miller: Andy Kropa/Invision/AP Zhao: Anthony Behar/Sipa USA/AP Images; Bacon: Blair Raughley/AP Images Images; Bacon: Blair Raughley/AP USA/AP Zhao: Anthony Behar/Sipa tells me. “But I can’t bake. I’m terrible.” shocked by theresponse. People became one was goingtogive ashit,butIwas Ruggiero says. “Ihonestlythoughtno posting thegooddaysandbaddays,” onInstagram.the reno-project “Istarted trailer “Lucille.” He decidedtodocument Arnaz,” Ruggiero tells rumored tohave oncebelongedtoDesi for $5,000. “Theagenttoldmethatitis bought nearhishomeinPalm Springs he beganrenovating avintagetrailer he ago, assomethingtododuringCOVID, gigs beganslowing down. Four months ago. When thepandemichit,hishair into thedesignbusinessabouttwo years terior designerBillyHaines, hejumped biography ofsilentmovie star-turned-in- rior design.Afterreading “Wisecracker,” a Maxwell andKateUpton. top models, includingGigiHadid, Stella and OliviaWilde aswell astheworld’s the dosofChrissyTeigen, Sarah Paulson hairstylist John Ruggiero, 44, hascoifed Throughout thepast20years, Hollywood By MarcMalkin Happy Trailersto You 26 In tribute, henamedthe8-by-42-foot But Ruggiero alsohasapassionforinte- ● OUR TOWN Variety . want tohelpchangethat.” started togetanegative reputation. I past decades, trailers andtrailer parks happening inpostwar America.Over the rad trailers oftheera. Trailer parkswere Hepburn andElvisallinAirstreams or and Desi,Jimmy Stewart, Katharine says. “You canfindphotosofLucy thing inthe’50sandearly’60s,” Ruggiero they cannotafford tobuyahome. people buyingtrailers inthedesertwhen vinced me. He’s apersistentone.” Ruggiero says, adding, “He finallycon- was kiddingbecausewe never talkshop,” their pitchnow. “Part ofmethoughthe puttingthefinishingtoucheson They’re low him asherenovated more trailers. develop areality show thatwould fol- thing specialandconvinced Ruggiero to Fernando Hernandez (FJHP), saw some- Airbnb. Butoneofhisbestfriends, producer live initwhenherents hisnearby homeon very invested inmy journey.” Besides, Ruggiero noticesmore young His onlyplansforthetrailer were to “Trailers were very coolandatrendy Ruggiero isnow flipping trailers. Hairstylist John owner of Jill Fritzo Public Relations; owner of JillFritzoPublicRelations; a partnerandagentatEros Talent Pennsylvania whilewalkingtheir and writer. them,they Between brother Jacob, 19 months. Both brother Jacob, 19months.Both White isanindustrial engineer.White dog, Kodiak Dane.Fritzo isthe Christmas House”;VaughanChristmas is married onNov. 14 inaprivate aa backyard ceremony. Lord is were engagedonNov. in 27 actor Bennett starsactor Bennett in“The are expecting theirsecond AmyLord andJohnPosey Agency; Posey isanactor Jill Fritzo and Jeff White JillFritzoandJeff White child, aboy. He’lljoinbig host of "CelebrityPage." are engaged.“MeanGirls” Jonathan Bennett and and JonathanBennett have sevenchildren. JerryandBreanne parents are actors. JaymesVaughan Racano Ferrara

Newborns Nuptials & event. Fisher, an actor and a singer, event. Fisher,anactorandasinger, stars in“Work It”;Woods isarecent married onNov. 21atDisneyWorld Jordan FisherandEllieWoods, in asmall,private after-hours childhoodsweethearts,were Hale Leon onNov. 28.Grande Freddie Prinze Jr. andfamily. a toy poodle, was welcomed atoypoodle,waswelcomed 8-week-old twin Akita pups, 8-week-old twin Akitapups, is anactor;Leon isagamer Sarah MichelleGellarand were welcomed byactors byFrankie Grande and college graduate. Kumi and Sato, KumiandSato, AppaGrande, and anactor. Feathers Fur & & Fur 12.09.2020

Lord/Posey: DEIDHRA FAHEY; Fisher/Woods: Sthanlee B. Mirador/Sipa USA/AP Images 12.09.2020 VARIETY ● 27

Jack of All Trades

MUST ATTEND

By Marc Malkin

Jack Dylan Grazer has been spending Processor Board’s new #SkateToDonate a lot of time at his computer during the campaign for Feeding America. “But I Dec. 10 pandemic. And it’s not just to Zoom with probably do want to end up directing friends or for school. “I’ve written a few them.” Perhaps will У is interviewed by scripts, and I’m really proud of them,” the give him some pointers. Grazer met the Annette Insdorf at the 92Y. 92y.org 17-year-old star of ’s director when he came to the set of “We HBO series “We Are Who We Are” tells Are Who We Are” to visit his daughter, Variety. Four of the scripts are for a tele- series co-star Francesca Scorsese. “I Dec. 11 vision series, two are movie scripts and didn’t want to ask for his number, but УTaylor Swift, , Billy Porter, another is a three-pager for a short film. I did get a picture with him. That is the Kim Petras, Cher, Sharon Osbourne, “They’re all dramas,” Grazer says. “I’m greatest picture on my phone,” Grazer LL Cool J and not good at writing comedy.” He isn’t says. “And then I had a lunch with him appear in Cyndi Lauper’s “Home for looking to actually be in the projects. “I because Francesca and I are so close. I the Holidays” benefit for True Colors don’t want to star in them,” says Grazer, was so star-struck, and Luca was even United. truecolorsunited.org who does appear in the Milk more star-struck.” lliams/CQ Roll Call/AP Images; Blunt: Yomiuri Shimbun/AP Images Shimbun/AP Images; Blunt: Yomiuri Roll Call/AP lliams/CQ Jack Dylan Grazer has the write stuff. Dec. 12

УNewFilmmakers Los Angeles co-hosts a virtual edition of its annual InFocus: Middle Eastern, Arab & Dutch Cinema program. seedandspark.com УBroadway star Shoshana Bean’s “Sing Your Hallelujah” holiday concert, filmed at the Apollo Theater, streams. singyourhallelujah.com УDionne Warwick celebrates her 80th birthday by hosting a livestream Christmas concert with Cyrus, Johnny Mathis and Aloe Blacc. officialdionnewarwick.com УMagicians Elizabeth Messick, Michaelann Awesome, Patricia Magicia and Simone Turkington perform in “A Night of Holiday Magic” as part of The Wallis Annenberg Center for Now Starring: Georgiarggiaia the Performing Arts’ The Sorting Hollywood has turned its attention toto Room Sessions. thewallis.org the Jan. 5 Georgia Senate election runoffsffs between GOP incumbent David Perdue andd Democrat Jon Ossoff and GOP incumbent Dec. 16 Kelly Loeffler and Democratic challenger Raphael Warnock. “If we the vote, УУBraveB Hearts for Broadway’s we will win,” Democratic consultant John “Holiday“ From the Heart,” featuring Gile tells Variety. appearancesa by VS. anda Daryl Roth and a performance Two upcoming benefits: bby frontline and essential workers, •> Lin-Manuel Miranda and Pearl Jam have bbenefits The Actors Fund. playbill.com a conversation on Dec. 12. Benefits Latino voting initiatives. loopedlive.com. Emily Blunt •> Sarah Silverman and Sarah Cooper appear on Dec. 18 on The Comedy Resistance’s “Riffing for the Georgia Runoffs.” Funds go

Grazer: Rachel Murray/Getty Images for CMPB's Bones Love Milk; Ossoff, Warnock, Warnock: Ben Gray/AP Images (3); Perdue: Tom Wi Tom Perdue: Images (3); Ben Gray/AP Warnock: Warnock, CMPB's Bones Milk; Ossoff, Images for Love Rachel Murray/Getty Grazer: to voter registration. rushtix.com. 28 ● OUR TOWN 12.09.2020

Our 2020 guide is Holiday Gifts That dedicated to presents that benefit an Keep On Giving array of nonprofits

By Marc Malkin and Lesley McKenzie

1 6 1 2 3

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Untitled-13 1 12/4/20 12:58 PM 30 ● DIRT 12.09.2020 DIRT

Jerry Bruckheimer $16.5M Lists Soigné Miami Miami Penthouse 6,000 sq. ft. 3 bedrooms 4 baths

Edited by Mark David / The Real Estalker

Hollywood super-producer Jerry Bruckheimer hopes to thin his con- siderable property portfolio, hanging a $16.5 million price tag on his sophis- ticated, mansion-sized penthouse in Miami. The “Top Gun,” “Amazing Race” and “CSI” franchise producer and his wife, best-selling novelist Linda Bruckheimer, acquired the two units that comprise the ocean-view aerie in two separate 2005 transactions that totaled $12.7 million. Listings held by Brett Harris at Douglas Elliman show the roughly 6,000-square-foot spread was trans- formed for the couple by late and leg- endarily soigné Parisian designer Andrée Putnam. The refined and discriminating result incorporates a sensuously curvi- linear entrance gallery that showcases a gracefully curved staircase. A bowed stretch of fabric is all that separates the foyer from the combination living

and dining space, where the curve is the Bride: Lindsay Blake of Father page) Bruckheimer: Douglas Elliman; (Opposite 12.09.2020 VARIETY ● 31

echoed in the swooping shape of the hours before buying it back at a highly furniture in the living room, the round elevated price. Such a pad is definitely dining table that’s set against an angled worth the hullabaloo. corner of floor-to-ceiling windows and Said to be at 24 Maple Dr. in posh the rounded countertops in the sleek, San Marino, Calif., the charming two- high-end kitchen. story clapboard residence is actually The penthouse’s three bedrooms at 843 S. El Molino Ave. in neighboring and three and a half baths include a Pasadena. Well, the front of it is, at least. sprawling main suite, where full-height The backyard scenes, including the tear- windows and bathroom jerking basketball segments, were shot frame long views of the heavily devel- at a similar-looking Colonial a little over oped coastline. A deluxe dressing area two miles away at 500 N. Almansor St. is a study in austere elegance; a bespoke in Alhambra. However, the driveway, steel corkscrew staircase winds up to a white-picket-fence-lined yard and pic- roof terrace. turesque vine-covered facade audiences With roughly 8,000 square feet of out- fell in love with can all be found at the door space, the penthouse is primed for Pasadena house looking very much as living life outside. In addition to a variety they did on-screen — minus the snow, of ocean- and beach-view balconies and swans and “tulip border” seen in the 1991 sun-splashed terraces, there’s an out- film, which were all just set dressing. door kitchen and a rooftop plunge pool. The four-bedroom, four-bath, 4,339- The Bruckheimers, who say they’re square-foot dwelling was originally selling in Miami because they don’t built in 1913. Though George explains spend much time there anymore, that the wedding of his daughter Annie famously live large with a cross-country (Kimberly Williams-Paisley), the sub- portfolio of homes. In 2013, they ponied ject of the first film, cost more than the The gate to the white picket fence still swings open to invite visitors to the Pasadena Colonial featured in 1991’s “Father of the Bride.” up $23 million for a lavish Beverly Hills house (welcome to the ’90s, Mr. Banks), mansion originally built for motion-pic- today Zillow values the place at almost ture pioneer Harry Cohn. They also pre- guard-gated Hidden Hills, Calif., where the gourmet kitchen includes two giant $3 million. Owning a piece of movie his- side over a nearly 400-acre ranch in Ojai, he owns a 12,500-square-foot mansion. islands as well as the requisite array of tory, though? Well, you can hardly put a about an hour and a half’s drive from Tesfaye has been trying to sell the commercial-grade stainless appliances. price on that. — Lindsay Blake Los Angeles. And in bucolic Bloomfield, place for six long months, initially with Perhaps the home’s most dramatic Ky., about an hour’s drive southeast of a too optimistic price of nearly $25 mil- room is the climate-controlled wine Louisville, they own Walnut Groves lion. The ask has now been slashed to cellar, which is backlit disco-style with Farm, a historic farmstead of about just a hair under $22 million, though that deep violet LED lighting. Also on the 1,600 acres anchored by a more-than- discounted number is still significantly premises: a home theater, a gym and a Clinton Kelly 200-year-old Greek Revival mansion. above the $18.2 million he paid for room with convenient wet bar. — Mark David 2.9-acre estate in July 2017. Out back, a heated alfresco dining ter- Comes to the Aid Back then, the compound was newly race fronts a broad emerald green lawn, built, and the “Can’t Feel My Face” while the negative-edge swimming pool of Entrepreneurs crooner has since put his custom spin on includes a Baja shelf and stone patio sur- things. The seven-bedroom main house round. The adjacent pool house has its Popular TV host and lifestyle expert The Weeknd has an attached five-car garage that’s own outdoor fireplace, plus a full outdoor Clinton Kelly will be starring in his been transformed into a Vegas-inspired kitchen with barbecue. Tucked up into own HGTV show, “Self-Made Mansions,” Sings the Blues auto gallery with turquoise LED light the hillside at the far rear of the estate which is set to premiere in January. Over strips embedded in the epoxy floors. is a full-size basketball court and a barn. the course of six episodes, the former in Hidden Hills Inside, the contemporary farmhouse Angel Salvador at The Agency holds “What Not to Wear” host will utilize offers light-flooded spaces with enor- the listing. — James McClain his passion for real estate and an expert The Grammys didn’t come calling this mous windows and chalk-white walls, eye for design to help self-made entre- year, but Canadian singer- plus a stylish mix of wood and stone floor- preneurs buy a knockout property that Abel Tesfaye, better known as the ing. The formal living and dining rooms fits their personal taste and newfound Weeknd, is still looking for a win in both offer white marble fireplaces, and status in society. Before they hit it big with inventions, ‘Father of the many of the entrepreneurs used to live The backyard of the Weeknd’s Hidden Hills home features a negative-edge pool and stone patio. Bride’ Starred paycheck to paycheck. Some made their fortunes devising curious gadgets and Pasadena Home products, including the Kwik-Hang cur- tain rod bracket and the Cut Buddy, a Perhaps no house in all of moviedom men’s personal hair care tool featured is more famous or more beloved than on “Shark Tank.” the idyllic Colonial where George Banks Kelly and the inventors will be touring (Steve Martin) and his family lived in an array of multimillion-dollar residen- the 1991 comedy “Father of the Bride.” tial properties, from a bucolic country So iconic is the property that it prac- estate and a glitzy Mediterranean-style tically serves as a central character in mansion to a chic desert home that’s a the story. As George says, “This house is bit off the beaten path. Naturally, all the warm in the winter, cool in the summer, properties will feature showstopping and looks spectacular with Christmas amenities, including spacious chef- lights. It’s a great house and I never style kitchens, meticulously landscaped want to move.” He does change his grounds, spa-style bathrooms and stun- tune briefly in the 1995 sequel, “Father ning azure pools. The series officially of the Bride Part II” — which turns 25 debuts Jan. 8, but HGTV will air a sneak this week! — by selling the home to Mr. peek of the show on New Year’s Day. Habib (Eugene Levy) for a mere 24 — Mae Hamilton VENGEANCE

EMERALD FENNELL AND CAREY MULLIGAN OF ‘PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN’ SERVE UP A CANDY- COATED THRILLER WITH AN ACID BY TWIST KATE AURTHUR & MATT DONNELLY

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ZOE MCCONNELL

P. 32 IS THEIRS

P. 35

At the first test screen- ing for “Promising Young Woman,” writer-director Emerald Fennell wanted to sit in the back so she could gauge the ’s reac- tion. When the lights went down, she was stricken with terror. “I thought, ‘No, oh, my gosh, what if everyone hates it?’” she remembers. “This is a nightmare!” And so it was. During the film’s surprising and brutal climax, two audience members entered into a shouting match, with one of them yelling, “If you don’t like it, you don’t have to stay!” The other walked out. “That’s not what you necessarily want from your first test screen- ing,” Fennell says. Her leading lady, Carey Mulligan, disagrees. Recalling es: Malone Souliers (Opposite Page) Dress and coat: MM6 Maison Margiela; Malone Soulier x Roksada Dress Page) (Opposite es: Malone Souliers ing; Hair: Hair by Bjorn Krischker/ORIBE/frankagency; Production: Joel Gilgallon/Joon Production: ing; Hair: Hair by Bjorn Krischker/ORIBE/frankagency; the film’s electric premiere at the in January, Mulligan says: “No one was sit- ting comfortably in their seats. You could feel their stomach muscles all tightened up. I think that really is a rare thing. It does provoke a reaction that is unlike anything I’ve seen in a long time.” That’s the promise of “Promising Young Woman,” a radical, genre-blending thriller that introduces Fennell as both a distinct cinematic voice and a blunt social commentator. Mulligan stars as Cassie, a former medical student whose life has been derailed by “THIS IS the rape of her best friend, SOMETHING Nina. After dropping out of YOU WANT school to care for the bro- TO SEE ken Nina, who is never seen WITH OTHER in the movie, Cassie is adrift PEOPLE.” (Mulligan) Styling: Nicky Yates; Makeup: Jo Baker; Hair: Halley Brisker (Fennell) Styling: Colomba Giacomini; Makeup: Lucy Wear Styling: Colomba Giacomini; Makeup: (Fennell) Hair: Halley Brisker Jo Baker; Makeup: (Mulligan) Styling: Nicky Yates; (Previous Spread) Mulligan: Dress: Galvan; Shoes: Jimmy Choo; Ear Cuff: Sophie Billie Brahe; Fennell: Dress: Roland Mouret; Sho Roland Mouret; Dress: Fennell: Shoes: Jimmy Choo;Cuff: Sophie Billie Brahe; Galvan; Ear Spread) Mulligan: Dress: (Previous and boiling over with rage. P. 36 Her days are spent slinging coffee at a local café, and tiptoe- ing around her exasperated and worried parents (played by and Clancy Brown). Her nights are spent feigning reckless drunkenness, baiting toxic bros dressed in business casual to swoop in to take advantage of her — only to reveal she’s stone-cold sober. She then confronts and shames them about their predatory behavior. When the perpetrators behind Nina’s rape and its subse- quent cover-up resurface, Cassie’s dark hobby escalates into a revenge mission. At the same time, a new love interest, Ryan (), shows Cassie a different path — if she finds the will to move on. Drenched in pink and baby-blue hues, “Promising Young Woman” looks playful on its surface, but yanks the rug out from under viewers. Among other things, the film is a stunningly unapologetic indictment of men and the societal mechanisms that support rape culture. “It’s a sort of beautifully wrapped candy, and when you eat it you realize it’s poisonous,” Mulligan says of the film. Yet if these descriptions make “Promising Young Woman” sound dogmatic, or strident, it never is: Against all odds, given its subject matter, the movie is fun as hell. “Promising Young Woman” combines elements from revenge movies, romantic comedies and suspense thrillers — brewed together to create something volcanic. Peter Kujawski, head of the film’s distributor, , says of Fennell’s film that the “hair on my arms stood up watching the first cut of this movie, and the real- ization of what she’s done here. Not only is it the degree of achievement, which we think is at the highest level, but it’s about the boldness.” “We want audiences to know that, love it or hate it, you have to show up — because we’re delivering you a real jolt,” The script did terrify some potential investors, McNamara Kujawski continues. says, who worried about the film’s ending, or about the audi- That jolt comes from first-time filmmaker Fennell, an actor ence’s potential response: “Emerald was very strong, and was (she plays Camilla Parker Bowles on “” and was on sticking to her guns about how she saw the movie.” The right “Call the Midwife” for several seasons), screenwriter-producer partners arrived in sales agent FilmNation and, later, distrib- (she ran the second season of “”) and writer of utor Focus Features. “FilmNation very much saw the movie horror novels. Fennell knew she wanted to direct when she the way that we and Emerald did, and were very supportive “IT began “ in earnest,” she says, because she found in promoting that vision,” says McNamara, adding that Focus NEEDS it hard to describe exactly what she meant tonally, and found was “very confident in what she would deliver and that it TO FEEL that having created a world in her writing, she had the desire would pay off.” to “deliver that world, and make it fully realized” on-screen. If there was ever a thought that Robbie might play Cassie LIKE Fennell, who's 35, the same age as Mulligan, developed —yes, she was tempted. “This was a hard one to step aside YOU’RE “Promising Young Woman” in 2017 with Margot Robbie’s for,” Robbie says. “But I felt like I would perhaps be the kind ON company, LuckyChap Entertainment, which came on board of Cassie people might expect, you know? And I feel like THE as producer immediately after hearing her pitch: the mov- someone like Carey — we just haven’t seen her do this. She ie’s cold open, in which Cassie surprises a potential rapist brings gravitas to it.” BEST by dropping her drunken act. LuckyChap co-founder Josey But not even Mulligan’s Cassie could have anticipated the DATE OF McNamara says their reaction was “Whatever the rest of it daunting challenge that the coronavirus would present to YOUR is, we want to do it.” movie theaters this year. “Promising Young Woman” was LIFE, YOUR scheduled for release in April, but — well, we all know what happened then. The film has presented a particular challenge, HEART’S even to Focus, which has enthusiastically embraced premium FLUTTERING, as a necessary fallback in these pandemic YOU times. With this movie, the filmmakers, the studio and the THINK punch-drunk Sundance premiere audience would unani- THIS IS mously agree that “Promising Young Woman” is a singular theatrical experience — especially with an ending that will GOING get people talking. “This is something you want to see with TO BE IT. other people,” Robbie says. … AND Add to that the film’s serious awards potential this year, and SUDDENLY that’s twice the pressure on Focus to make the right choice. The distributor is rolling out the film in theaters on Christmas Day, YOU with an accelerated streaming premiere targeted for January. FIND “This is working, and we wouldn’t keep doing it if it weren’t,” OUT THAT Kujawski says of the day-and-date release strategy. “We look at THE it as a tool in the arsenal to generate business but also to have something that allows us, in this impaired world, to share this DOOR’S movie for those who want it at home or safely in theaters.” LOCKED Fennell was more than seven months pregnant in spring 2019 BEHIND at the start of the 23-day shoot for “Promising Young Woman” YOU, in Los Angeles, and she gave birth to her first child three weeks after production wrapped. She then took a few weeks off before AND YOU she began editing the movie. “It was quite grueling, but that’s OK, JUST isn’t it?” Fennell says. “It’s not very often you get to make a film.” CAN’T GET Now, more than a year and a half later, she will unveil OUT.” “Promising Young Woman” to the world. In a lengthy inter- view with Variety, Fennell and Mulligan discuss the intentions EMERALD FENNELL behind one of the year’s most audacious films. Jewelry: Theo Fennell Emilia Wickstead; Dress:

Why did you want Carey to play Cassie? “ IT’S Emerald Who I really wanted for the role was someone who was a sur- SO Fennell: prising choice — certainly somebody who hadn’t done a ton of action movies or thrillers or genre stuff. In my wildest dreams, LOVELY Carey was top of my list. TO Carey Emerald and I worked together on this episode of “Trial & READ Mulligan: Retribution” when we were both 18; it was one of our first jobs. I was a girl who got murdered, and Emerald was this sort of SOMETHING nasty girl. AND Fennell: Bitchy friend! If you need a bitchy friend — HAVE Mulligan: — she’s available! We had a fight in a nightclub, and then I sub- sequently was murdered in the show. And Michael Fassbender NO IDEA was the detective! I hadn’t seen Emerald since then. Then I met WHERE her at somebody’s house just before Christmas, and she was on IT’S her way to the “Killing Eve” wrap party, wearing these amazing GOING, skintight pleather trousers with a hole in them. You were like, “I’ll just wear them anyway.” AND Tor [agent Victoria Belfrage] sent me the script, but gave YOU’RE me absolutely no preamble: “Just read this.” I just never read WRONG- anything like it; I knew pretty certainly that I wanted to do it straight off the bat. But when we sat down and met a couple FOOTED of days later, after five minutes, I said, “Tor gets really cross at Emerald, how would you describe the visual language of the film? AT me when I do this, but I just have to tell you, I really want to do Fennell: I’d sent Carey and all of the producers the mood board and EVERY this job. I’m doing it! Let’s do it.” my playlist that I used to write it. Because I really was keen to TURN.” Fennell: It was actually so much cooler than that. You had the script in explain to everyone: How this reads isn’t how it needs to feel. your hand, and you just put it on the table and you said, “I’m It needs to be kind of come hither. It needs to be sumptuous CAREY MULLIGAN in.” And then you said, “Fuck, I’m not allowed to say this!” and beautiful and appealing. It needs to hide in plain sight and surprise you. It needs to feel like you’re on the best date of your Why was it unlike anything you’d ever read, Carey? life, your heart’s fluttering, you think this is going to be it. And Mulligan: It’s so lovely to read something and have no idea where it’s you go home to someone’s apartment, and it’s beautiful, and going, and you’re wrong-footed at every turn. Every time you it’s amazing. And suddenly you find out that the door’s locked decided something about somebody, it was ripped away from behind you, and you just can’t get out. you and changed. I wanted to make the movie feel like I think a lot of our lives feel, which is that they are beautiful and they are horrific. Carey, you’ve spoken before about being resistant to “wives and girlfriends” roles — how does this fit in your body of work? Focus is marketing “Promising Young Woman” as the kind of film Mulligan: “Promising Young Woman” exists in its own genre, and that that “smacks us awake.” Was that your intention? role is so unique. I felt like definitely I wanted to be a part of Mulligan: It felt quite smacky in Sundance! Sitting with the audience, it something contemporary that was an original idea and not an felt like that. adaptation, as much as I love those. I’ve been resistant to play- Fennell: The first test screening we had, which was in quite a big theater ing characters that are just the wife or the girlfriend, and I’ve with a very diverse group of people, in a particularly difficult avoided that fairly consistently so far. You can still understand scene, a fight broke out between two audience members. I a character and go with them on their journey even if you don’t couldn’t hear what was happening — all I knew was two people approve of them or feel totally comfortable. I’m trying to find were shouting in the middle part of the movie theater. Somebody characters who are a little less straightforward, and you don’t get was shouting, and then somebody else started shouting. One all the answers. I want to be constantly surprising the audience. person did not like what was happening, and then the other I loved working with comedians. I feel so open to that kind of person was saying, “If you don’t like it, you don’t have to stay.” stuff, but, for me, it’s never struck the right tone. I want to be They both stood up, and somebody left. I was quite nervous in a film and live in a lovely apartment. I know after. Richard Curtis, and I say this to him all the time. He knows. Mulligan: When I did “Girls & Boys,” I did this monologue at the Royal Court, and in one of the first previews we did, some huge fight broke out where someone almost got punched in the gallery. It was so exciting — not to be deliberately provocative, but I do think that there’s something to be said about something that makes people feel that strongly in the moment. Fennell: I think that too, but also I was thinking, “Oh God, the distributors are here!”

Is this a story about two women and their friendship? Or is it a story about how outraged we all should be when it comes to sexual assault? Mulligan: I don’t think big picture at all when I’m playing a character. But it was funny: When we shot the climactic scene, there’s a brilliant monologue that Emerald wrote, and I remember when I read that monologue, my heart was sort of racing, thinking, “Oh, my gosh, if I get to do this ... ” But it really felt in that moment much more of a collective feeling of outrage, just when we were shooting that one scene. That’s not to say I have any understanding in a real way of how that must feel, because I don’t. I have no idea how hard it must be to be a survivor, or to be supporting someone who’s a sur- vivor. But in that moment, I felt very in solidarity with people who have been through anything like this. And that was really powerful, because I’m usually so myopic when I’m filming, and it’s just about that one person. But in that moment, because of this direction that Em gave me, it felt like a bit bigger picture for a second. Fennell: I have always been quite interested in morality tales. In terms of the way it was shot, there are lots of parts of it almost touching on Greek tragedy — Cassie as the avenging angel who comes and offers redemption or punishment. And it’s ultimately, for me, a film about forgiveness, but that people only get forgiveness if they admit wrongdoing. She’s called Cassandra as a kind of

Dress and coat: MM6 Maison Margiela; Boots: Malone Soulier x Roksada; Ear Cuff: Ana Khouri and coat: MM6 Maison Margiela; Boots:Ear Malone Soulier x Roksada; Dress nod to the original Cassandra. P. 39 P. 40 So the whole purpose of the movie is to say, look at these two paths in front of this promising young woman. One is just skipping through daisies and delicious, beautiful candy land. And one is hard and lonely and bleak. Who chooses the hard road? It’s a horrible road to choose. And isn’t it funny how frightening a character becomes — particularly a woman becomes — when they say, “Actually, I’m right. And so I’m going to keep going. Even when everyone else is bored. And even when everyone else is furious, I’m going to keep going.” And that, without Carey, was impossible. Because Carey is so exceptionally gifted, it was only her who could have given this character that in my mind was, as you say, this kind of an allegorical person — to make it completely and utterly real.

The film has a lot to say about how women treat women who’ve been sexually assaulted. Why did you want to explore that? Fennell: You can’t write a film like this unless you examine yourself and your own past. If this is a movie about forgiveness, it’s important to say this is just a culture we’ve all grown up in. The incidents in this movie are in every romantic comedy, every TV show — Fennell: I did have to keep an eye on the tone, very much so. And also one we laugh at them. of the main jobs I felt I had on this was to say to all departments, When I was thinking about the character of Madison, who’s “This is what’s happening — but this is the trope we’re subverting.” played by , I had to think about how I might have But the thing about Carey is: I am the monster, building it all done better in the past. Of course, you want certain characters around her, but she is always Cassie. And the important thing to be all bad or you want to hate them. But there’s also a kind of about having someone as brilliant as her is that it means you can rotten truth to it, and there are so many arguments from both do all of those things, because you have the consistency of this sides: “It happened to all of us.” “But I really like him, and I’m line of truth, and this line of someone’s heart going through it. not sure he would.” “What if they don’t believe me?” The movie itself is just a sample of the excuses and the lies that we kind of What is “Promising Young Woman” saying about men? tell ourselves when we let ourselves down. Fennell: Look, I love men! Nobody comes out of this movie very well, no It’s not just a movie for people who are very well-versed in single person — including Cassie. We’re talking about something all of this stuff. I feel very privileged that it’s something that I that isn’t nice. So this movie has no reason to be preoccupied nec- care deeply about. But for generational reasons — or all sorts essarily with the good deeds that we all do. Like, that’s another of reasons — lots of people haven’t thought that deeply about movie. It’s kind of a bitter pill to swallow — but that’s how the this. And it needs to be accessible to them. conversation starts, isn’t it? This film is not supposed to be fanatical. This is a real genre Were you concerned with making sure that the audience is still revenge movie. It’s all it is. We’ve seen this movie a billion times. behind Cassie on her journey? Let’s then be honest with it. Mulligan: It’s important to me to never really care what the audience thinks. I think a lot of it was about just telling the truth. There’s Carey, despite your character’s romantic detour, you have to chart these sorts of tropes that we see in films where people do really an arc of escalating rage. How was that as an actor? badass things, and then afterwards they sort of ride off into the Mulligan: It doesn’t affect me post. The only thing I ever sit in the car on sunset in celebration. And actually, the truth of most of what the way home and think is like, “Oh, I didn’t do that very well! Cassie does is it wasn’t great — she probably feels terrible. Why didn’t I do it like this?” But that’s the really rich scrummy There’s a scene that’s in the trailer where Cassie loses her stuff that, as an actor, you are so excited to do. It’s the reason I temper and smashes somebody’s car up. And instead of gleefully work — the stuff like that. throwing the crowbar to the ground and walking off in her high That’s the whole point of my life; that’s my real Nina in “The heels, you see the terror of what’s come over her, and what’s Seagull.” That’s my vocation; that’s my sweet spot. I just found allowed her to do that thing. Because it’s mad, and could get the whole job like that — because if it wasn’t me collapsing in her arrested. laughter at Bo Burnham or Jennifer Coolidge, it was getting to There was such freedom, and a lot of the time Em would be do these scenes that are just so rich and so well-written and so encouraging me to go further and further. And I felt like I could crunchy. So it was just like this constant wave of satisfaction do all of that, trusting her to make the right decision. of having worked with the best people, with the best material, with the best director. There was no cost. I felt like I gained huge amounts from the whole process.

What do you hope the audience walks away with from the movie? Mulligan: It’s always such a hard one. Emerald said a couple of times it’s a beautifully wrapped candy, and when you eat it, you realize it’s poisonous. There is something so delicious about this. There’s nothing didactic about it; there’s nothing that’s telling anyone what to think. And there’s nothing boring about it. “IT’S The reason I wanted to be in it is because I felt it was nothing A I’d ever read or seen before. And I want people to feel that feeling that I felt when I read it: of I can’t believe this concoction can SORT work. And what a thrill. It’s a magic trick, and you don’t see OF that very much these days. You kind of always understand how BEAUTIFULLY the magician’s done it. And with this, I just don’t think you do. Fennell: My hope would be that everyone universally thought it was WRAPPED the greatest film ever made. And that I was quite a genius. CANDY, That’s obviously what you want! AND It’s very easy to get kind of concerned about the political side of things, and the bleak things. But also I want it to be a WHEN film that people enjoy — that they laugh at, they’re shocked by, YOU that they’re intrigued by. And that they leave and go, “Holy shit. EAT IT I want to talk about that!” YOU Mulligan: I also think there’s something to be said for, whether you like it or not, being in a film that is memorable in 10 years, 20 years, REALIZE 30 years. I always want to work on things that find their place IT’S in the world, and that people revisit. And I think this will be a POISONOUS.” film that people will come back to. CAREY MULLIGAN This interview has been edited and condensed. Dress: Rodarte Dress:

42 Art-houseAArt-hourt-hous filmmakersfilmmake are embracingembracin digital distribudistributiont and coming upup wwithith ingenious ways to keep By busy Brent Lang during and COVID-19 Matt Donnelly

43 LYDIA DEAN PILCHER’S BIG MOMENT HAD ARRIVED

44 After producing movies for ways to release movies during a pandemic. revenues, it is shaping up to be IFC’s most and Mira Nair, Pilcher was finally sliding Heavyweights such as Disney and Sony have profitable year. behind the camera herself. “Radium Girls,” pushed their tentpole releases into 2021, when, “We were confident that audiences weren’t her feature directing debut, was set to open in the thinking goes, a vaccine will be widely disappearing; they were just shifting to watch- in April when the coronavirus accessible and moviegoing will return. But ing movies in the home,” says Arianna Bocco, struck, grinding the cultural life of Gotham to most of the big indie film players have gone president of IFC Films. “We leaned into that, a standstill and imperiling the business and in a different direction, embracing a hybrid and while a lot of major studios were mov- art form she loves. of digital distribution, drive-in engagements ing their movies, we benefited from the lack Instead of despairing, Pilcher got creative. and a theatrical rollout robust enough to make of competition. By being one of the first to Juno Films, the movie's distributor, pushed the money during the worst public health crisis explore what the post-COVID world looked debut back to the fall and set about fashioning in a century. like, we were able to shine.” a COVID-compliant release strategy for the “Everybody is trying to figure out what will Focus Features is releasing the buzzy indie drama. When it finally opened in October, be the best way to connect audiences with con- “Promising Young Woman” on Christmas it screened at drive-in theaters and had spe- tent,” says Andrew Karpen, CEO of Bleecker Day, with a PVOD release to follow shortly cial virtual showings. To raise awareness, the Street. “You don’t know how many theaters thereafter, just as it has done with other mov- distributor and filmmakers of “Radium Girls” will be open week to week. We like to give ies this year like “Emma” and “Let Him Go.” — which documents the true story of female people who live in markets where theaters are Studio head Peter Kujawksi tells Variety that factory employees who contracted radiation open and it’s safe to go see movies the ability simultaneously releasing movies in theaters poisoning due to poor working conditions — to watch them on the big screen, but you can’t and on demand is allowing the company to partnered with environmental groups like the look at theatrical as the driving force of our reach the widest audience possible at a time Sierra Club and gave them a cut of the prof- business right now.” when cinemas in markets like New York and its from special screenings that tapped their Bleecker has released several films during Los Angeles remain closed. mailing lists. the pandemic, including the comedies “It certainly seems to be working, and we “It’s innovation that’s borne out of neces- “Military Wives” and “Save Yourselves” and wouldn’t be continuing to do it if it weren’t,” sity,” says Pilcher. “It’s what you have to do the thriller “The Secrets We Keep.” That’s Kujawski says. “We’re not doing this to prove to build an audience in a safe, socially dis- nothing compared with IFC Films, which a philosophical point about keeping product tanced way.” debuted a whooping 25 movies between Everybody is trying flowing through movie theaters. But that’s key With theaters still closed in major cities and March and November, including the Steve to figure out what and fundamental to a lot of what we want our coronavirus cases on the rise again, Pilcher is Coogan comedy “The Trip to Greece” and movies to do in the world, and how people likely to have more company. Indie studios, at the Jude Law drama “The Nest.” The com- will be the best way consume and engage with them.” least the ones that aren’t subdivisions of sub- pany says that it has not just been pleasantly to connect audiences was another early divisions of cavernous media conglomerates, surprised by the reception the films have adopter. The indie label had initially intended

(Previous Spread) Emma, Never Rarely Sometimes Always: Focus Features (2); Nomandland: 20th Century (2); Nomandland: 20th Century Features Sometimes Always: Focus Spread) Emma, Never Rarely (Previous Springs: Chris Willard/Sundance Palm Malcomn & Marie: Dominic Miller/Netflix; Page) Studios; (Opposite Features Sometimes Always: Angal Field/Focus Never Rarely Institute (This page) have no choice but to find safe and effective received. Thanks to a surge in streaming with content.” to release “Good Trouble,” its documentary

--Andrew Karpen

Zendaya and John David Washington in “Malcolm & Marie”; Cristin Milioti and Andy Samberg in “Palm Springs”; in “Never Rarely Sometimes Always”

45 about the late civil rights icon John Lewis, in operations to emphasize its push into stream- which then enables them to better monetize theaters this summer, but overhauled those ing with last year’s launch of Disney Plus. At a movie by scoring richer television and plans in favor of a digital-heavy release. In the same time, it has moved releases such streaming licensing pacts and bolstering its the end, the film’s digital revenues topped as “Soul” and “Mulan” to the platform and home entertainment revenues. Once there’s out in the “high seven figures,” far exceeding seems poised to have other would-be block- a vaccine, they argue moviegoing will return the results that the studio had anticipated busters migrate there as well. And Warner in a big way. earning. Of course, that comes with a caveat. Bros. recently announced that it will debut “Theaters are going to come back strong “It’s hard to say if we earned as much as we “Wonder Woman 1984” on HBO Max, its as soon as the virus is in check,” predicts would have if we had released it digitally after Netflix challenger, and in whatever the- Tom Bernard, co-president of a robust theatrical release,” admits Eamonn aters are still standing. For their part, leg- Classics. “No one is going anywhere right Bowles, head of Magnolia Pictures. “But we acy streamers such as Netflix and Amazon now, but as soon as it’s safe that will change.” also didn’t have the marketing expenses that Prime have invested more aggressively in Others are more skeptical. They note that we would have had if we did that.” snagging A-list talent, releasing the likes theater chains, particularly smaller art-house Indie studios and filmmakers believe that of David Fincher’s “Mank,” ’s venues, are teetering on the edge of insol- the plucky spirit that previously helped them “Hillbilly Elegy” and ’s vency. Many were closed for months without finance passion projects or cook up novel ways “ Subsequent Moviefilm” during the revenues, and those that have reopened have to get media attention for edgy comedies and pandemic. These services are available for been forced to contend with a diminished dramas instilled an entrepreneurial spirit that one low monthly price, something that indie audience. It’s not clear that these cinemas has helped them endure the downturn. But players have to contend with when they try will be around to greet indie filmmakers on they also acknowledge that challenges remain. to convince customers to shell out to rent the other side of the pandemic. For one thing, the competition for stream- their latest release. “You’re looking at a theatrical landscape ing customers is only intensifying. Universal "We’re asking people to buy an untried that’s being reshuffled,” says Bocco. “I just has signed landmark deals with exhibitors dinner à la carte, but they have an all-you- hope it’s a reshuffle and not a shrinkage. Some such as AMC, Cinemark and Cineworld that can-eat buffet that they already paid for,” says theaters will close, but maybe they are taken allow the studio to release movies on home Richard Abramowitz, CEO of Abramorama. over and reopened by a company that treats entertainment platforms within 17 days of “It’s hard to sell people on renting or buying this opportunistically.” their big-screen debuts. It’s already used its one movie when there’s an infinite density It may be true that indie studios have new privilege to release “The Croods: A New Indie films are of programming available to them thanks to bought goodwill from exhibitors by con- Age” and will deploy a similar strategy with subscription services.” tinuing to make movies available at a time “The New World,” a having to make do Many of these indie players say that they when they’re desperate for product, but the that’s opening on Christmas. with a small piece of still depend on theatrical distribution, both box office results have been middling. Take Other studios are making the digital pivot. in terms of the box office grosses it gener- two recent releases: “Ammonite,” an Oscar

Disney has reorganized its entire studio a much smaller pie.” ates and because it raises the profile of a film, contender from Neon, has eked out a meager Films; Radium Girls: Juno Films IFC to Greece: Trip

--Paul Dergarabedian

46 $110,000 in two weeks of release, while Sony production since the start of lockdown in “Where there has been opportunity is with Pictures Classics’ “The Climb” has managed March, with seven more coming in the next micro-budget movies, and that correlates to earn only $177,000 over the same time three months, at an additional $60 million. with a surge in creativity,” says Sutherland. frame. That’s a fraction of what they would CAA has packaged 34 film sales so far in 2020, “Filmmakers are taking creative chances — have made in pre-pandemic times and a sign totaling $500 million. Foreign distributors you have Sam Levinson and Zendaya work- of the devastating toll that the virus has taken have not missed a beat in picking up new films, ing in a quarantine bubble to film ‘Malcolm on the movie business. and in fact were bullish at the recent American & Marie’ that goes on to sell to Netflix; Doug “The whole ecosystem has shrunk,” says Film Market, thanks to what many perceive as Liman partnering with Anne Hathaway and Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for Europe’s superior handling of the coronavirus shooting ‘Lockdown’ in London; and dozens of Comscore. “Indie films are having to make compared with America. other examples. These are not outrageously big do with a small piece of a much smaller pie.” “Selling to foreign distribution has been more productions — they’re limited — but the great For cinemas that generate the lion’s share positive than it has been for years. The numbers thing is that we are getting amazing actors and of their profits releasing art-house fare, out of AFM, which I thought would be slow and directors to be a part of these movies, because there’s also the issue of demographics. Their it wasn’t, were really competitive. The numbers people want to work.” consumers tend to be older, making them coming out of the U.K. and France, Spain and For now, movie theaters are so desperate for more vulnerable to the coronavirus. Italy, were unprecedented. That was true about new content to show that independent film- “Our audience is going to be the last to come the virtual Cannes experience and now about makers say they’re getting access to their best back to ,” says one indie studio chief. AFM. Foreign buyers get it,” says Sutherland. screens in many markets. They don’t expect Even as the theatrical potential of films has The atmosphere has resulted in a seller’s that to last, however. Blockbuster releases from dissipated, the value of content has only grown. market, one that’s left deep-pocketed buyers “No Time to Die” to “F9” have been pushed into COVID-19 caused film production to stop glob- like Netflix writing massive checks for the 2021 in an effort to outrun the pandemic. That ally, and while cameras are rolling again, the movies that are available to purchase. Take, means there will be a crush of franchise fare costs associated with instituting new safety pro- for instance, “Malcolm & Marie,” an intimate for theaters to screen, provided they make it tocols mean that fewer movies are being made. two-hander with John David Washington and through without going bankrupt. It’s possible Even as COVID struck, agents were busy Zendaya that was shot during the coronavirus; that exhibitors won’t be feeling the same kind trying to line up projects that could be cam- it sold to the streaming service for $30 mil- of passion for indie moviemakers and tolerance era-ready when it was safe to go back to work. lion. That’s the annual acquisition budget for for hybrid distribution models post-COVID that CAA Media Finance co-head Roeg Sutherland’s some indie studios and a sign of the financial Theaters are going they did during the darkest days of the crisis. department brokered financing and sales for pressures they face when buying new projects. “I hope movie theaters don’t forget all about approximately 100 films last year, with budgets Producing these films also remains a signifi- to come back strong the indies,” says Dergarabedian. “But theaters ranging from $150,000 to $130 million. cant challenge, with many producers and studio as soon as the virus are going to be desperate to put butts in seats The agency has raised $308 million in insiders estimating that COVID-19 insurance when this is over, and they’re going to be mostly

Father: Sony Pictures Father: financing for 17 indies that have gone into can cost up to 20% of a production budget. is in check.” interested in showing blockbusters.”

--Tom Bernard

Steve Coogan and Rob Bryden in “The Trip to Greece”; Abby Quinn, Joey King and Gina Piersanti in “Radium Girls”; in “The Father”

47

‘MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM’ DIRECTOR GEORGE C. WOLFE ON FILMING AUGUST WILSON’S PLAY AND CHADWICK BOSEMAN’S FINAL FILM ROLE

49

BY JENELLE RILEY t's a collaboration that was decades in the making. George C. Wolfe, who has helped bring the words of everyone from to to life in acclaimed productions, says it was in the mid- when play- wright August Wilson first raised the prospect of working with him. “He said, ‘I want you to direct one of my plays,’” Wolfe recalls. “And I said, ‘Let me read it so I can make sure I have something to offer.’ He said, ‘Well, I haven’t written it yet.’” Considering both are legends of the theater, it’s odd that it has of the great things about being a playwright is when you’re in rehearsal, taken this long for Wolfe and Wilson to come together, and that their people are talking about what you’ve written, and they’ll say things, and long-gestating partnership is taking place not in their more familiar you suddenly think, ‘Oh, that’s what I meant to do. Right, that’s what this medium of the stage but on film. Wolfe is directing Netflix’s adaptation character is,’” reveals Kushner. “When George talks to you about the of Wilson’s second play, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” which hits the world you’re trying to help him create, he says these breathtaking things. streaming service on Dec. 18 and is expected to be a major awards season I’ve incorporated some of them into the scripts I’ve worked on him with player. The film stars in the title role, as a showstopping because he’s one of the smartest and most eloquent people on the planet.” blues legend (complete with gold teeth) and features an electric turn In “Caroline,” the lead character is a Black maid in 1963 who interacts by Chadwick Boseman in his final role. When it comes to writer and with various appliances — a washing machine, a dryer, a radio — as director, the project plays to both artists’ strengths. For Wilson, who if they are people. When an actor asked how to “play” an inanimate died in 2005, those trademarks include beautiful, visceral language object, Kushner says he listened as Wolfe explained. “He said that before and an unflinching look at the Black experience. And Wolfe brings his there were machines, there were slaves, and the slaves are what did specialties, coaxing stunning performances from the leads and delivering the work that we now have machines do,” Kushner reveals. “So these an interpretation that both understands and elevates the playwright’s machines are haunted by the spirits of slaves. And of course, I thought, themes of the corrosive effects of racial discrimination. ‘Fuck, I wish I’d thought of that.’ It’s so smart, and it gives these actors Wolfe was born in 1954 in Frankfurt, Ky., far from the lights of so much to work with.” Broadway, but he can’t remember a time when he wasn’t drawn to The director is effusive when speaking about the performers with theater. “I was obsessed,” Wolfe notes. “I think it was in a past life or whom he has collaborated over the years. “I love, love, love working something.” He did his share of school plays and, around the age of 15, with actors,” says Wolfe, who has had cameos in films like “The Devil a summer theater program, which was a major gateway drug for the Wears Prada.” He adds, “I started as an actor, but I have too many control budding artist. From there, he attended Pomona College in Los Angeles issues, so that was never going to work. I think they’re brave people County, where he earned a BA in theater, and, later, , who give themselves to roles and take off their clothes and coverings where he earned an MFA in dramatic writing and musical theater. and gold.” The feeling is mutual. Says “Ma Rainey’s” Davis, “George is From the start, Wolfe had range, both in his abilities and the genres he both intuitive and hands on. He has a fantastic eye for actors and knows tackled. He was writing and directing everything from searing dramas when to trust them and when to come in and redirect. He also can give to musicals, and that refusal to be pigeonholed continues today. He a word that opens up a wellspring of emotions that can completely was nominated for in 2018 and 2019, first for directing release you. He is an artist.” Eugene O’Neill’s tragic “The Iceman Cometh” and then for the raucous Davis won an Academy Award for her role in “Fences,” another Wilson Nathan Lane-headlined “Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus,” a comedy adaptation, directed by and starring . Washington overflowing with fart jokes and double entendres. had been asked by Wilson’s widow and executor of his estate, Constanza Says Wolfe of those early years, “I wanted to put myself into rooms Romero, about bringing Wilson’s 10 plays, generally referred to as the where I didn't know all the rules. I knew that if I did that, I would end August Wilson Century Cycle or The Pittsburgh Cycle, to the screen. up with muscles that I didn't have.” And then, he adds, “I wanted to do Wolfe was directing Washington in the 2018 Broadway revival of “The something completely different from the room I’d just been in. And one Iceman Cometh” when the pair began seriously discussing Wolfe direct- of the most liberating things you can do as an artist is to go into a room ing “Ma Rainey.” “I don’t remember deciding to do it, like you don’t where you don't know everything. And that's how you keep growing.” remember being born,” says Wilson. After penning 1986’s Off-Broadway “The Colored Museum” and Wolfe brought on Ruben Santiago-Hudson to write the screenplay. winning an Obie for directing 1990’s “Spunk,” Wolfe made his Broadway Santiago-Hudson had a long history with Wolfe, beginning with appear- debut writing and directing 1991’s “Jelly’s Last Jam,” about the life of ing in “Jelly’s Last Jam.” It was Wolfe who, during his 11-year tenure as jazz musician Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe, aka Jelly Roll Morton. artistic director of The Public Theater, commissioned Santiago-Hudson (Interestingly, before producer Margo Lion hired Wolfe to start from to write the autobiographical “Lackawanna Blues” about his former scratch, she hired Wilson to take a pass at the story — something Wolfe nanny. And it was Wolfe who directed the 2005 HBO film adaptation. learned only later.) Santiago-Hudson says Wolfe was the “perfect” director. “I knew he After the success of “Jelly’s Last Jam,” Wolfe says he was “offered would make a remarkable film. I also knew he would have great notes and anything that was connected to any Black person ever.” But always guidance on the script,” Santiago-Hudson says. “Of his many attributes, wanting to do something different from before, he chose to “jump into his vision and artistic sensibilities, his love of African American life, a seven-hour play that had already been heralded as a masterpiece” his leadership and clarity, as well as his preparation and collaborative

with the Broadway premiere of Tony Kushner’s two-part epic “Angels skills, are impeccable.” Archive Trunk Grob/ Marco Spread: Previous in America.” Wolfe states that he didn’t have the luxury of being intimi- dated. “A famous producer said to me, ‘Well, if it doesn’t work, it’s going to be your fault,’” he recalls with a laugh. “I asked myself, how do I do this? What do I do? And then I got it: You do it one scene at a time. One moment at time.” The play, of course, was a massive, epoch-defining hit, landing Wolfe the first of his three Tony Awards, for directing part one, “Millennium Approaches.” Kushner also wrote the book and lyrics for the musical “Caroline, or Change,” which Wolfe directed in its 2003 Off-Broadway and 2004 Broadway run. Kushner says Wolfe is astounding to see at work. “One

50 George C. Wolfe (center) talks with Chadwick Boseman as Glynn Turman and Michael Potts look on during production on “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.”

he upcoming version of “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” largely unfolds on In adapting a play, there is often the refrain that one needs a single day in 1927 where band members wait in a recording to “open it up” for the big screen. “That phrase is tattooed on my fore- studio for the star of the show. As they pass the time, the men remi- head,” Wolfe jokes. And while he certainly has made a film that looks nisce, preen and share big dreams, particularly trumpet player Levee and feels spectacularly colorful and lively, he also chose to play up the (Boseman) whose arrogance and swagger belie a painful past. And even literal restrictions of the rehearsal room to reinforce the metaphorical when Ma Rainey arrives, things don’t go smoothly. Davis, who put on 20 ones. “In some respects, that band room is about confinement,” he notes. pounds for the role and dons makeup that seems to be melting off her “So therefore, those walls become crucial. The band goes down those face, calls Ma Rainey “a behemoth of a character.” She is unapologetic steps and tell their stories about glorious and not-so-glorious things in challenging and demanding respect from her manager and producer, that have happened. So I actually had to figure out what the strength two white men profiting off her talent. Tensions run high throughout is of that confinement.” the day, and to accentuate this, Wolfe moved the setting of the play from Wolfe’s experience behind the camera also includes “The Immortal winter to summer as, he notes, “heat became a character in the film.” Lives of Henrietta Lacks” for HBO and the films “Nights in Rodanthe” Wolfe dug into the script; he found it fascinating that it is Wilson’s only and “You’re Not You,” but “Ma Rainey’s” aura is the work of an auteur play set not in Pittsburgh but Chicago, at a time when thousands of Black from top to bottom. “This really feels like George coming into his own people were making their way north. “I think he's doing this treatise about as a film director,” raves Kushner, who also praises the actors. “Viola the adverse dynamics of the Great Migration. And the consequences of Davis, I’ve never seen a performance like that — the layers of grief and what happens when people leave the rural South for the urban North,” rage. There is no better director for actresses than George; he really Wolfe says. “In the South, were they able to create structures on their brings out everybody’s innards.” own because of the rigidity of segregation? They're able to create their “Ma Rainey” demonstrates another of Wolfe’s hallmarks: He put own internal economic and spiritual and cultural structures in order together a flawless ensemble, largely composed of actors he had worked to survive. They're coming to New York, where they can do the same with in the theater, such as Michael Potts, Colman Domingo and Glynn thing. But at the same time, if they want to achieve another level of busi- Turman, who play the other band members. For Levee, Wolfe needed ness opportunity, they're going to have to come into contact with white someone who could play charismatic and intelligent but emotionally power structures.” And when it came to the character of Ma Rainey, a immature. “He has the makings of greatness but is haunted by his past,” Black woman not dependent upon anybody else, he wondered: “What he notes. In casting Boseman, he knew he had the right actor. “And in happens if someone shows up with a sense of power that is separate addition to bringing all of that, he was a brilliantly skilled actor, thoughtful

David Lee / Netflix David Lee from the power structure she comes into contact with?” and completely invested in the material,” says Wolfe. The movie was shot on a 30-day schedule in summer 2019, and Wolfe says the shoot could be tough, but it was also joyous. He was still editing the film when Boseman died on Aug. 28 from colon cancer at the age of 43. Wolfe was stunned; he had no idea Boseman was ill and says he and the actor had even exchanged other scripts for projects they could work on together in the future. Boseman has earned raves for his volcanic turn as Levee, with many critics saying his last performance might be his best. And while Wolfe is devastated that the actor died so young, he says he is “ONE OF THE MOST LIBERATING THINGS grateful for the time they spent together, their conversations and their YOU CAN DO AS AN ARTIST IS TO GO INTO collaboration. “I feel blessed by the performance, blessed by getting A ROOM WHERE YOU DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING. to know him and exhilarated by the work, by this astonishing perfor- AND THAT’S HOW YOU KEEP GROWING.” mance,” he states. “So yes, there’s sadness, but there’s all these other qualities that I find, ultimately, empowering. Working with him felt — GEORGE C. WOLFE empowering, and the work that’s on the screen is empowering.” ANNOUNCING VIRTUAL FYC FEST DECEMBER 15-17

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Golden Globes: TV Actor/Actress Preview

Performers are often made better by their scene partners; Variety spotlights some pivotal small-screen relationships entering the winter awards race

56 ● CONTENDERS ● GOLDEN GLOBES: TV ACTOR/ACTRESS PREVIEW 12.09.2020 Small Screen’s New Perfect Pairs

Variety selects eight duos raising the bar for television relationships ● By Danielle Turchiano

It takes a village to create television, but often a story’s success hinges on the specific relationship between two characters and their portrayers by extension. Whether they needed to be believable friends, family members, colleagues or some combination of all of the above, the following‘‘ performers brought to life truly one-of-a-kind on-screen partnerships worthy of awards consideration this winter.

Ignatet, explaute sum et quiati nos ‘THE CROW N’ et desci ut laboresed unt et cum and Emma Corrin and Josh O’Connor expererumqui ratibus es desciu et Josh O’Connor portray Princess Diana and Prince apero inulluptatia.” --Attribution Charles in “The illions of people around the Crown” Season 4. world watched Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer court, get married and raise a young family, but Josh O’Connor and Emma Corrin had the complicated task of getting inside the conflicting emotions within that relation- ship in the fourth season of Netflix’s “The Crown.” Diana had a “freedom and emo- tional openness” that O’Connor used as inspiration for an “element of jealousy” in Charles, the actor says; she had an “ability to access those emotions” when he was always told to be “unexpressive.” Meanwhile, Corrin says she responded to the real Diana’s “amazing way of tread- ing a line between strength and vulner- ability” and also drew from Mary Oliver’s “universal ‘I’ ” in her poetry to inform the character: “I really wanted people to feel like they could relate to singular emotions she was going through.” The research stage of pre-production proved crucial for both actors, with O’Connor noting that focusing on marriage in gen- eral proved fruitful. “Ultimately none of us know what that private landscape looked like,” he says, “but what we can invest in and explore is how and why marriages fail, and try to link that to a human reality, as opposed to purely the Charles and Diana reality.” What was really challenging was the scene in which Charles tells Diana that he doesn’t want — and never wanted — this kind of mar- riage. “Josh and I had become very close, but we’d never really taken ourselves to that place of emotion,” says Corrin. Also, that truth was “something that not only our characters had been ignoring for the entire [season], but [also] something Josh and I had been ignoring.”

‘YOUR HONOR’ and Hunter Doohan

howtime’s “Your Honor” takes the definition of “the sins of my father” to new heights when Judge Michael Desiato (Bryan Cranston) learns his

teenage son Adam (Hunter Doohan) Des Willie/Netflix The Crown: pen15: Hulu; Your Honor: Skip Bolen/Showtime ‘‘ my toes.” --Hunter Doohan him I tend to overthink, but someonelike 12.09.2020 [ Bryan Cranston ] tends to keep meon “Your Honor.” his son, Adam, in Hunter Doohanas Desiato and stars asMichael Bryan Cranston Kone in “Pen15.” Peters and Anna play Maya Ishii- Konkleand Anna Maya Erskine ‘P E N 1 5’ 5’ 1 N E ‘P gating mebecausehe’s trying to getmy the secondepisodewhere he’s interro- test foritwe were doingthescenefrom keeps meonmy toes. Even inmy final tend tooverthink, butsomeonelike him and funformetowork offofbecauseI ferent inevery take, whichissurprising those actorswhowilldosomethingdif- working withCranston. “But he’s one of given pointinthestory,” Doohansaysof what eachotherwould know atany definitely talked aboutourhistory and to keep calmandkeep thesecret. “We threats becausetheyeachneedtheother many ways theyare eachother’s biggest though theduoisinthistogether, in doesn’t know now whototrust.” Al - Cranston says. “Thatpullsusapart.He compass, Adam’s compassisspinning,” pletely understandinglosinghismoral Michael istryingtograpple withcom- ing anotherteenagertotake thefall.“As to cover itup, even whenitmeansallow- ager withhiscaranddecidestheyneed accidentally hitandkilledanotherteen- says Erskine. Inthesecondseason,both But it’s funtodoandmakes uslaugh,” talk toeachothersopassive aggressively. characters] are 13andprobably wouldn’t pause andremind ourselves that[our adult dynamiccreeps inandwe have to any fightscenewe have, we findthat our mimics ourrelationship inreal life. In ways. “Our relationship intheshow work through issuesinthehealthiest teenagers, thosecharacters don’t always ters, whoare best friends, butbeing tured intheshow through theircharac- The duo’s closenessissomethingcap- shift “once herwigandmustachegoon.” 13-year-olds,” butthere isanoticeable 33-year-old best friend,instead oftwo like “I’ma33-year-old responding tomy itfeelsmoreadmits thatattimeson-set we’ll cuttoMaya inpost.’ ”Konkle “If I have an offday, I’mlike, ‘It’s fine, she thinks. She’s my muse,” saysKonkle. ing. “I’mconstantlyaskingMaya what they leanoneachtomake sure it’s work- But oncetheydostepintoactormode, before steppingonsettoalsoperformit. perspectivethe behind-the-scenes through alotofemotionalmaterialfrom unique positioninthattheywork Maya ErskineandAnnaKonkle are ina Konkle Anna Erskineand Maya me my performance.” look atme’andtohave that,Ithinkgives grabbed my faceandscreamed, ‘Adam, in castingandthefinalauditionhe to doingwithmy friendsorwithpeople story straight andIhadgottensoused their middleschoolyears, formative experiences during a seriesbasedontheirown producers ofHulu’s “Pen15,” s co-creators andexecutives co-creators VARIETY ● 57 58 ● CONTENDERS ● GOLDEN GLOBES: TV ACTOR/ACTRESS PREVIEW 12.09.2020

women reached new heights comedi- Hugh Grant and cally, but also dug deeper dramatically, as Konkle’s Anna grappled with her topline “The mental health amid her parents sepa- Undoing” as rating, while Erskine’s Maya struggled husband and wife with boys and self-esteem, and both Jonathan and characters looked for a sense of purpose ‘‘ Grace Fraser. in the theater.

Ignatet, explaute sum et quiati‘THE UND nos OIN G’ et desci ut laboresed unt etHugh cum Grant and expererumqui ratibus es desciuNicole et Kidman apero inulluptatia.” --Attribution ecrets are an essential part of the narrative of HBO’s “The Undoing,” so it seems only fitting that lead performers Hugh Grant and Nicole Kidman did a lot of individual prep work for their characters, a wealthy married couple whose lives unravel when the woman with whom Grant’s Jonathan had an affair is murdered. “Instead of ana- Ethan Hawke lyzing scenes or talking through the and Joshua Caleb scenes together, we would just do them,” Johnson portray Kidman admits. For example, the scene John Brown and in which Jonathan returns to Kidman’s Onion in “The Grace to admit the affair but stress inno- Good Lord Bird.” cence in the murder is an intense and complex one, emotionally, but they only had about 15 minutes to capture it, due to changing light, “which I think actually helped,” she continues. “It was more like the two of us listening, responding and being in the scene with our own emo- tional truths.” Adds Grant: “If you over-rehearse something or talk it out to death, it can become a little flat when you film it. Sometimes it can be quite good to wing it.” One area they did focus on mapping out together, though, was “how much affection was shown at any given time,” says Kidman. This was espe- cially important as Grace struggled with what to believe about her husband while he was “quite chameleon-like and very adept at adapting to the environment and circumstances,” says Grant. Such per- Jonathan sonalities “can be very conflicting at the Majors and same time. And they co-exist, that's what Jurnee Smollett can be so scary.” star in “Lovecraft Country” as Atticus “Tic” Freeman and ‘THE GOOD LORD BIRD’ Letitia “Leti” Lewis. Ethan Hawke and Joshua Caleb Johnson

hen the characters of John Brown (Ethan Hawke) and Henry (Joshua Caleb Johnson) first meet in Showtime’s “The Good Lord Bird,” Brown is too tied up in his abolitionist mission to truly see Henry for who he is, misgenders him and ends up referring to him by the nickname of Onion. But Brown still becomes a role model to the young man, and the story

takes on a “Twain-esque love story” vibe, Country: Elizabeth Morris/HBO Lovecraft William Gray/Showtime; Bird: The Good Lord The Undoing: HBO; Small Axe: Des Willie/Hulu; : Elizabeth Morris/FX ‘‘ respites offreedom, firstwhenhekisses much ofwhohereally is, buthegetsbrief for Oniondying.” Onionrestrains so he really doesn’t want toberesponsible He doesn’t mindhisown sonsdying, but didn’t want Oniontobethere forthis. knows everybody’s abouttodie, andhe returns totheenginehouse. “He basically trum,” asHawke putsit,whenOnion railman, andhehasa“minitempertan- Onion whenheaccidentallyshootsa says Hawke. John Brown easilyforgives the linesof life.” -- Joshua Caleb Johnson and Onionunder their wings andpulledusalong Ethan Hawke and John Brown both took me only person in the storythathetrusts, came from. Andbecauseofthis, she’s the Majors. “She knows exactly where he him from bespectacledtomuscled,” says their characters’ bond.“She’s known experience a through asundown town, immediately and, afterembarkingonaroad trip time inalongtheseriespremiere and Smollett’s Letireconnect forthefirst survived.” Majors’ Atticus “Tic”Freeman admits, “Idon’t know thatIwould have Jonathanwith herco-star Majors, she ing astrong foundationalpartnership plays Letitia“Leti”Lewis. Without hav- to block,” saysJurnee Smollett,who Jurnee Smollett Jonathan Majorsand ‘LOVECRAFT the linesoflife.” under theirwingsandpulledusalong John Brown bothtookmeandOnion not Ethan’s real family, butEthan and John Brown’s real family, just like I’m used thatforOnionbecauseOnion’s not Hawke. “He treats measfamily, andI was aidedby hisrelationship with up” alotonthesetofshow, andthat Johnson admitshefeelslike he“grew own man,finally,” notesJohnson. and “ridesoffintothesunsethe’s his when hereveals himselftoJohn Brown Annie Brown (Maya Hawke) andthen 12.09.2020 he firstseasonofHBO’s “Love- that subconsciouslyyou want strument thatare dark,places actors “go toplacesinyour in- demandedits craft Country” COUNTRY’ shared trauma thatcements unspoken way: kinshiprecognizes parents. Theyconnectonthatinavery inherited alineageoftrauma from their Smollett says. “BothAtticus andLeti through Atticus,“looking forhealing” [than anything].” Leti,meanwhile, is shooting where Iwas saying, ‘Leti’more “There isamomentinwhatwe were and“chief she ishis“light” attachment”: no questionsasked.” He alsonotesthat ‘S M A LL A X E: E: X A LL A M ‘S Letitia Wright Letitia Wright Shaun Parkesand bump, Smollettsays. prayer andstart every take withafist- would beginevery morningwitha ifested between theperformers, who man- port, encouragement andrespect” feels forhim.” Off-screen similar“sup- been abletodobecauseofthelove she motivated todothingsthatshe’s never the love comesin.Andshebeginstobe that bindstheirsoulsandthat’s where ways becausetheydoshare thissecret kinship. Sheisabletoopenup himin whom were real-life communityleaders to fullyinformtheircharacters, bothof each other, buttheycouldn’t allow that the actorswithacomfortlevel around grove.” Having apriorconnectionhelped Prime Video's “Small Axe: Man- they have reunited forAmazon ture film“Urban Hymn” andnow Wright worked togetheronthefea- n 2015ShaunParkes andLetitia MANGROVE’ Senator Loy andDoctor in “Fargo”as Glynn Turman and Mangrove.” in “Small Axe: Jones-LeCointe and Altheia Frank Crichlow Wright portray and Letitia Shaun Parkes but oftenhaddifferent approaches to ‘FARGO’ focused momentby moment.” but Iwas abletopushmyself, toremain get lostinthecrowd of somany people moment.” Sheadds:“Sometimes thatcan sure you are tellingthetruthinevery that themostimportantthingis“making acters beingontrialforincitingariot, moments, from demonstrations tochar- was sofullofemotionallychallenging while Wright pointsoutthattheproject human condition”asonesuchthing, draw onotherthings.” Parkes cites“the with [so]asanactoryou thenhave to can sayIknow whatFrank was dealing or experienced racism somuchthatI haven’t beenapartofinjusticesomuch, all mannerofthings,” says Parkes. “I ful motivator andcanhave peopledoing by thepolice. “Injustice isavery power- that becameatarget ofracial profiling and theowner ofthetitularrestaurant Crichlow was acivilrightscampaigner the filmwas set,whileParkes’ Frank Black Panther Movement in1970, when LeCointe was theleaderofBritish their activism.Wright’s AltheiaJones- apart,” Rock says. for thisgangorelse it’s allgoingtofall grieve hismentor:“Ihave tobestrong turning pointforLoy, whocan’t truly back,” says Turman. Thelossisabitof because there’s always atarget ontheir have togetoutofthegameatsomepoint stayed atthegametoolong. Hustlers “I thinkwhatcauseshisdemiseishe with theFadda familycrimesyndicate. Senator becomesacasualtyinthewar me.” Un fortunately forboth,Doctor insights intowhoDoctorSenatorisfor American dream [was] oneofthekey Turman. “Thedisappointmentinthe to take thepaththathetook,” says in afirm,butthecircumstances ledhim should have beenalegitimateesquire tered onhimobtainingalaw degree. “He shot down; forDoctorSenator itcen- credit card proposal, whichthebank Rock notes. With Loy, thatincludedhis that defypeople’s expectations ofyou,” men were alsoambitiousandhad“ideas tionship outfurther, saysTurman. Both helpedfleshouttherela- together inHarlem” from showrunner Backstory “about hangingoutinclubs father, theduobeganworking together. when “somethinghappened”tohis had beenafriendofLoy’s fatherand, elder character was oneRock imagined Doctor Senator(GlynnTurman). The ‘,’” theactorsays. Enter Glynn Turman Chris Rockand sigliere like in (Chris Rock) needsa“con- season ofFX’s “Fargo,” Loy crime syndicateinthefourth s headoftheCannonfamily VARIETY ● 59 ‘Sound Mettle Proves Its of Metal’

says director Darius Marder Deafness isa ‘culture,’ By TimGray 60 munity; andhisattempts tore-create to cope;histimespent inadeafcom- structure: Attempts by drummerRuben his hearing. Thefilmhasathree-act metal drummerwhobeginstolose Marder, stars RizAhmedasaheavy- deafness inthepast. sidering Hollywood’s depictionsof ments are even more impressive con- terrific filmmaking—anditsachieve- Amazon’s “Sound ofMetal” isapieceof “Sound ofMetal,” directed by Darius ● GRAY’S GOLD CONTENDERS (“The Heart Is aLonely Miracle Worker”), andnominees include (“Johnny Belinda”)and Patty Duke (“The Oscar winnersincludeJane Wyman film anexception toHollywood history. not gonnadothat.’ ” It was difficulttotellfinanciers, ‘We’re ple saw thatasarole for anameactor. demanding role andsomemoneypeo- way ofexample, headds, “Joe issucha or from adeafculture,” Marder says. By deaf peopleunlesstheactorswere deaf clear thatIwasn’t goingtorepresent by able-bodiedactors. “Imadeitvery with any disabilityhave beenplayed a culture.” We don’t understandthatit isinfact of deafnessasaphysical disability. film isawake-up. Most peoplethink how tobedeaf.” and hisassignmentissimple:“Learn that deafness“isnotsomethingtofix” (the excellent )tellsRuben segment, whencommunityleaderJoe his lifeasitwas before thehearingloss. The heartofthefilmismiddle This respect ofdeafculture makes the In thepast, most onscreen characters Director Marder tells Variety , “This that Ruben goes through asacharacter, actor toplaydrummer Ruben? in “Wonderstruck” and“A QuietPlace.” andMillicentSimmondsHammer”; Will BeBlood”andthebiopic“The RussellDriver”; Harvard in“There characters played by CJJones in“Baby OscarwinnerMarlee Matlin, and as “Children ofaLesserGod,” star- world, withnosenseofcommunity. deaf character isaloneinahearing In thevast majorityofthesefilms, the “Mr. Holland’s Opus”and“Nashville.” ,” “IntheCompany ofMen,” ing “Creed,” “Four Weddings anda them deaforhard ofhearing, includ- porting character unusualby making River Wild,” “Hush,” etal.) in thrillers(the 1987“Suspect,” “The “Murder by Death”),orasaplotdevice characters forlaughs(the four are hearingactors. All fourplayed deaf characters, andall andRinkoHunter”) Kikuchi(“Babel”). “I didn’t, becausethere’s aprocess Did Marder considercasting adeaf There are notableexceptions, such Frequently afilmtriestomake asup- Sometimes movies introduce deaf goes deaf. hearing man who authencity of a he wantedthe Metal” because ofin “Sound cast Darius Marder us withoutus.’ ” SHOULD that theyexist, torealizing thatthey ing grateful thatpeopleeven notice dismissed. Theyare moving from feel- has gottenusedtobeingignored and looking totearthingsdown. spirit inthedeafculture. not They’re be deaf. But Ihave noticedagenerous remember whensomeonepretends to are pretty offensive. Deafpeoplealways resent itwithoutproper connections try toappropriate deafculture andrep- depictions, Marder says, “Movies that wondering ifRuben willever adjust. Cianfrance andAbraham Marder —is in thefilm—scriptedby Marder, Derek does andpartofthedramatic tension atthesametimeRuben to bedeaf” of comfort.” The audiencelearns“how because theywould comefrom aplace lose thatelementiftheactorwas deaf, people becometheminority. You would into aworld that’s unfamiliar. Hearing go through. It’s aprocess ofbeingthrust and thattheactoraudiencewill “As Paul always says, ‘Nothing about “The deafcommunityunfortunately After Hollywood’s sad historyofdeaf benoticed. 12.09.2020

Amazon Studios PROUDLY CONGRATULATES

Dan Scharf Global Head of Business Affairs, Amazon Studios

Untitled-2 1 12/4/20 12:49 PM Untitled-13 1 11/24/20 12:08 AM 12.09.2020 VARIETY ● 63 FOCUS Global Health Crisis Favors Streamers Over Cinemas

Distribution deals made during the pandemic may become a permanent fixture of the movie business ● By Rebecca Rubin

Illustration by Rune Fisker colored themovie landscapein2020. dealsthathavesionally head-scratching Greenberg Glusker. “Pickone.” biggest movies. landscape willnever lookthesame. it’s notanexaggeration tosaythefilm emerges from theCOVID-19 outbreak, enced before. Whentheworld eventually threat unlike experi- anything they’ve lar, andcinemasare facinganexistential the pandemic. point, onethatwon’t disappearwith current momentmarksaninflection crisis. Yet industryinsiderspredict the upended by theongoingglobalhealth release calendarthat’s beenentirely have beenforced torecalibrate afilm portion oftheyear, Hollywood studios time athome. for audiencestowatch itforthefirst dreds ofmillionsdollarsintoamovie Hollywood studiosdon’t pumphun- greenlit years ago. Afterall,traditional the coronavirus pandemic. into thefuture inthehopesofoutrunning online asotherscontinuetobepushedfar year’s biggestfoundthemselves streaming movies thatwere poisedtobeamongthe 1984,” Disney’s “Mulan” remake andother I 64 entertainment industrylawyer with in atheater,” saysSchuylerMoore, an unthinkable whenthesefilmswere That’s resulted ineye-popping, occa- “You selltoastreamer, oryou die Studios have limitedoptionsfortheir Streaming hasnever beenmore popu- But withtheatersclosedforagood It’s areality thatwould have been ● FOCUS jet-flying . street-racing Vin Dieselanda assist from James Bond,agritty ruled thebox office, withan in whichfemalesuperheroes t was supposedtobetheyear Instead, “Wonder Woman ● DEALMAKERS IMPACT REPORT “Mulan” streamed “Wonder Woman cinemas. eschewing on Disney Plus, on HBOMax and of WarnerBros. 1984” andtherest slate will screen slate will in theaters. Each ofthemajorHollywood studios what itwould take tobreak even. For ing studiostomake slightlymore than the film’s production budget,allow- services usuallypay apremium over go tothehighest bidder. Streaming the majorityofitsbuzzyupcomingtitles. Afterlife” hasresorted topostponing “Spider-Man” and“: Hulu, butotherwise, thestudio behind romantic comedy“Happiest Season”to “The Trial oftheChicago7”toNetflix. lion andsendingAaron Sorkin’s latest Studios inadealworth roughly $125 mil- to theEddieMurphy classic,toAmazon America,” thelong-anticipated sequel active sellers, auctioningoff “Coming 2 the studio hasbeenoneofthemore service onwhichtooffload movies. So the pandemic. has taken adifferent route togetthrough The mathiseasy—worldwide rights Sony soldtheKristen Stewart-led Paramount doesn’t have astreaming ers forlucrative back-end dealsthatare megawatt talent,directors andproduc- have toshelloutupfront tocompensate high-profile projects, streamers often Max andinany theatersstillopen.The that itsentire 2021slatewillgoonHBO did Warner Bros.’ recent announcement “Mulan” toDisneyPlusturnedheads, as to sendthe$200 million-budgeted rival toNetflix. Still, Disney’s decision with theultimategoalofcreating atrue Disney PlusandHBOMax, respectively, companies’ fledglingstreaming services, the opportunitytobulkuptheirparent to theaters.” everyone togetvaccinated andgoback up. [Studios] can’t sitaround andwait for Apple, DisneyandAmazonhasheated Moore says. “Thecompetitionbetween Amazon Primeandthestreamers,” mercial smashes. built intocontracts forwould-be com- Disney andWarner Bros. have used “My lifenow issellingfilmstoNetflix, sively intheaters, hasbeencontested of timethatanewmovie playsexclu- dows, industryjargon fortheamount rical debuts. the homewithinweeks oftheirtheat- Cinemark thatallow filmstoappearin forged historicpactswithAMCand Months intothepandemic,studio big onaneventual return tomoviegoing. nomic andbusinessdecision.” makinganeco- Rothschild. “They’re Simon, anentertainmentlawyer atFox for themall. big movies, but2021won’t have room aters. Every studio hasbeendelaying and large aren’t ready toreturn tothe- reignite moviegoing, thataudiencesby fell shortofexpectations andfailedto with ChristopherNolan’s “Tenet,” which as well asunspoolintheaters. Woman 1984”tostream ontheplatform, studio hadalready plannedfor“Wonder their couches. latest blockbusterfrom the comfortof ger having towait monthstowatch the ward, willbestoptimize [afilm’s] value.” ness modelthatwe believe, goingfor- Cinemark andCineplex. “Thisisourbusi- who lednegotiationsondealswithAMC, chairman andchiefdistributionofficer, says Peter Levinsohn, Universal’s vice that reach $400 millionwithouttheaters. pictures won’t beabletojustifybudgets franchises knows thatsequelstopopular “Fast &Furious” and“” However, thestudiothatcreated the idly shiftingtidesinconsumerbehavior. release. Universal isn’t blindtotherap- of anearlypremium video-on-demand exhibitors toshare inthedigitalprofits form ofmulti-year agreements thatallow operators anolive branch ofsortsinthe miss outonasignificantrevenue stream. for bankruptcyorgounder, studioswill upon millionsinprofits. If theatersfile rely onticket salestogenerate millions ment thatcontentisking, butstudios still points out.Thepandemicsettledtheargu- industry wouldn’t benefitanyone, Simon Simon says. than ever before. new releases ondigitalplatformsearlier suggest thatstudios willcontinuetoput similar agreements, industry experts Universal’s rivals haven’t fashioned the bigscreen for75to90days. Though the days whenmovies screened solelyon once had.Gone, many anticipate, willbe bargaining power thattheateroperators navirus, whichhasallbuteradicated any conversations were expedited by coro- for decades. Yet there’s nodenying that acutely aware ofwhengivingtheater taking advantage ofthisopportunity,” reducing thetheatricalwindows are It’s truethatthedebatearound win- Universal, ontheotherhand,isbetting “Some ofthisissurvival,” saysMarc But Warners learnedthehard way For moviegoers, thatmeansnolon- “For Universal, thisisournewnormal,” That’s somethingUniversal was But acollapseofthemovie theater “Studios thatalways wanted tobe 12.09.2020

Wonder Woman 1984: Warner Bros.; Mulan: Jasin Boland..© 2019 Disney Enterprises Congratulations, 2020 VARIETY DEALMAKERS Including our very own Lane Hancock and Frank Zeppieri.

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Untitled-12 1 12/3/20 4:07 PM Face of Adversity Forgingin Ahead the Profiles by Peter Caranicas, Nick Clement, Paula Hendrickson, Todd LongwellandRobert Marich ZLWK1HWДL[ studio Titmouse forMouth" "BIg negotiated adeal DLA Piper have keptthewheelsofindustryturning these lawyers,financiers, Despite apandemicandaneconomicnear-collapse, 66 DEALMAKERS IMPACT REPORT ● FOCUS execs andentrepreneurs ing rights. includes incomestreams andneighbor- copyright inthesong,”Altersays.This chases hasexpandedbeyondjustthe ested inacquiringfor musicasset pur- scope of whatindustryplayers are inter- Broadening: ments inotherwisevolatilemarkets.” find musicassets “are verysecure invest- non-traditional tune-property buyers and publishers workingwiththird partiesare banks, private equityandhybridsof music Gilmour andSteveMiller. Artist clientsincludeRayDavies,David agement andTempo MusicInvestments. Music Publishing,ReservoirMediaMan- transactions, Alterrepped PrimaryWave • ALTER, KENDRICK&BARON Founding Partner Lisa Alter Focused onmusicfor copyrightsand The NewYork-based lawyernotesthat “Inpastcoupleof years, the happen again?’” ing inthebackof their heads,‘Willthis says Ara, “becausepeoplewillbe think- to thingslike force majeure provisions,” come there willbecloseattentionpaid The NewNormal: guide toproduction post-pandemic. Piper hasalsocreated aglobalindustry partnership agreement withImax.DLA startup Vindex toestablishatheatrical the Yucaipa Cos.andwithe-sports non-equity investmentfrom RonBurkle’s also repped talentagencyAPA inamajor revolving-credit facility. Theteamhas loan Bdebtoffering anda$450 million he helpedarrange a$600millionterm dent musiccompanyConcord, for which ment withEmpire Music,andindepen- negotiate a$1millionrecording agree- star CookieeKawaii,for whomhehelped ers andsellers, includingTikTok music companies andvarious licensors, buy- ford reps record labels,artists,publishing der financing.MusicspecialistBrad- or Sherman’sknowledgeof cross-bor- taxstructuringexpertise on Beyzaee’s international co-production, theycancall aspects of deals.Iftheyneedhelpwithan Imp andMarkhamonthetransactional with Great Point Media.Ara works with million filmandTVco-financingdeal with Netflix toMCCredit Partners’ $100 dio Titmouse’s(“BigMouth”)newpact animationstu- ranging from L.A.-based ing andbranded entertainmentdeals— talent tofilm,TV,newmedia,music,gam- tainment teambringsadeepbenchof Finance Practice Transactions Practice &Entertainment Partner, of Co-Chair Entertainment Tom Ara • DLA PIPER Associate Katherine Imp Of Counsel Scott Bradford Partner Afshin Beyzaee Finance Practice Partner, of Co-Chair Entertainment Robert Sherman Transactions Practice Partner, of Co-Chair Entertainment David Markman The firm’sCenturyCity-based enter- “Ithinkfor years to 12.09.2020

Big Mouth: Netflix; Ara, Markman: Dennis Trantham/Westside Studio; Sherman: FAYFOTO/; Beyzaee, Bradford: Dennis Trantham/Westside Studio; Imp: Christian Seel Untitled-6 1 12/4/20 12:53 PM 68 ● FOCUS 12.09.2020

League. Based in , Cal- abrese has a broad practice; Bru- ington handles financings; Deutsch

works content initiatives and related financings; Haymer represents com- panies and talent in entertainment, sports, and media; Offsay advises studios, TV, streamers and financiers; Francisco Arias Len Blavatnik Sullins covers sports and media; and SVP, Associate General Counsel, Head Founder & Chairman West advises talent in marketing col- of Scripted Television Business and laborations. Based in London are Sav- ACCESS INDUSTRIES Legal Affairs ill advising creation, financing and distribution of film, television, media; • CONTENT Global entrepreneur and self-made and Mitchell focusing on sports and billionaire Blavatnik, founder of con- media. Based in New York, Hamill rep- • Arias acknowledges that the “small glomerate Access Industries, plays resents M&A and media transactions; but mighty” Endeavor has more vol- a key role in many types of business and Saviano handles sports & media ume than typical boutique studios, but around the world, including media and transactions. Calabrese says the Hol- not as much as major studios. Key deals entertainment. Back in 2011, Access lywood ecosystem will be impacted with Apple TV Plus, HBO Max and oth- acquired Warner Music Group for $3.3 by the extent that coronavirus dis- ers include “Severance,” “Truth Be Told,” billion in cash. The price reflected the ruption of consumer media consump- “,” “Tokyo Vice,” times: the music biz was struggling tion becomes permanent, which is an a Hedy Lamarr biopic starring Gal Gadot, with plunging record sales and ram- open question. “This started a long plus the highly anticipated “Nine Per- pant piracy. Then digital happened, time ago, but COVID has accelerated fect Strangers,” which Arias calls “a very and, once again, with impeccable tim- the decline of theatrical attendance expensive, massive show.” ing, Blavatnik took the company public and the move to streaming services,” Pandemic Pivot: “Putting together the in June at a stock price of $25 — which he says. whole ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ package subsequently surged above $30, giv- Togetherness: After the pandemic during the pandemic was probably the ing WMG a market value of $15.6 billion passes, Calabrese is bullish on most interesting, challenging and criti- at the end of its first day of trading. sports attendance snapping back. cal dealmaking that we’ve done. We had The IPO’s value validates the music “One thing is clear: people want to to do a quick pivot, and ended up shoot- industry’s resurgence. With a ros- return to social gatherings, particu- ing the show in Australia because of the ter that includes artists such as Lizzo, larly sporting events.” lower incidences of the pandemic there.” Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars and Cardi B — and with the majority of its income derived from digital sales — WMG has been well positioned to withstand the ravages of the coronavirus and stands poised to grow further in a post-pan- ngs Photography demic future. Not Just the Money: Blavatnik has been quoted as saying, “I believe in the undying power of music to move peo- ple culture and technology.” Chris Chatham Dan Black Founder Vice Chair, Global Entertainment & Media CHATHAM LAW Practice Joseph Calabrese • Recently named for the sixth time GREENBERG TRAURIG Partner-Global Chair, Global to the Southern California Super Law- Entertainment, Sports & Media practice • Over the past year, Black has been yers list, Chatham negotiated and involved in transactions and business Nancy Bruington closed a new multi-year talk show deal initiatives valued at more than $2 billion. Ken Deutsch for “Dr. Phil” with CBS through Season He was retained by Bill Gates and his 21, negotiated and closed a multi-year Gates Ventures, providing ongoing coun- Robert Haymer talk show deal for “Doctors” with CBS sel and legal expertise related to con- Justin Hamill through Season 13, and serves as an Marc Chamlin tent creation, and was hired by HDNet Patrick Mitchell on-air legal analyst on network televi- to serve as primary outside counsel for Chair, Television sion. He’s also a part of Dr. Phil’s team Rick Offsay its AXS TV network. In addition, Black LOEB & LOEB of veteran attorneys who explain com- recently negotiated $115 million in guar- Frank Saviano plicated legal issues on the iconic pro- anteed compensation deals for many • Chamlin reps Oprah Winfrey/Harpo Jonathan West gram. “There are plenty of companies senior entertainment executives. on multiple Apple TV Plus docuseries that want to tap into a talent’s brand Partners Streaming Steams Ahead: “The further and Book Club programs; “Oprah’s 2020 and followers to further monetize their transition of streamers becoming the Vision” tour; and Weight Watchers affil- Lisbeth (Libby) Savill business, and they’re willing to pay locomotive for projects within the indus- iation. The New York-based lawyer also Adam Sullins hefty sums to do so,” he says. try, whether theatrical or television, was advises Glenn Close (“Hillbilly Elegy”); Partners, Co-Chairs, Entertainment, Embracing the Moment: “Cultivating well underway pre-COVID, but has expo- non-scripted talent including Ree Drum- Sports & Media Industry Group your client’s image to take advantage nentially accelerated since last March,” mond (Food Network’s “The Pioneer of opportunities, whether it be in busi- LATHAM & WATKINS says Black. Woman”) and executive employment ness and/or philanthropy, is more prev- contracts including extensions for Truly • The group boasts of several blue- alent than ever,” Chatham says. Original principals. COVID-19 driving chip clients, including , AGBO, consumers to personal media consump- AMC Networks, Beyoncé’s Parkwood tion “has forever crowned home view- Entertainment, Blumhouse, Broth- ing,” he says. “There is no going back.” ers Intl., Endeavor, Entertainment Stu- Pacesetter: The streaming revolu- dios/Allen Media, , Holly- tion is also igniting verticals, such as wood Foreign Press Assn., limited-series documentaries. “I think Entertainment, Intl. Olympic Commit- so much of the interest in docuseries tee, Films, MGM, New Repub- THE TRANSITION OF STREAMERS BECOMING THE involves the volatile culture and political lic Pictures, Sierra Pictures, Sinclair LOCOMOTIVE FOR PROJECTS WITHIN THE INDUSTRY landscape,” Chamlin says. Broadcast Media, , WAS WELL UNDERWAY PRE-COVID, BUT HAS Sonar Entertainment, , War- Mitchell, Offsay: Gittings PhotographyMitchell, Offsay: EXPONENTIALLY ACCELERATED." -DAN BLACK ner Bros., Westbrook and World Surf Tim Bishop; Chamlin: Studio; Blavatnik: Gittings Photography; Bruington: Gitti Arias: Endeavor; Black: Dennis Trantham/Westside Congratulations

to all the honorees of Variety’s 2020 Dealmakers Impact Report including members of Latham’s Global ESM Team

Joseph Calabrese Nancy Bruington Ken Deutsch Global Chair Century City Century City

Justin Hamill Robert Haymer Patrick Mitchell New York Century City London

5LFN2ႇVD\ Frank Saviano Lisbeth Savill Century City New York London

Adam Sullins Jonathan West Century City Century City

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Untitled-27 1 12/3/20 4:52 PM lenging thewaythingsusedtobedone.” to see”thatpeoplewithmoneyare “chal- ing diversity, saysYen, whocallsit“great Money Mood: cash looked for assets toacquire.” making quickened as“companieswith Wavelength Productions. Per Conner,deal- tainment One,FilmRise,O2Filmesand Hulu deal.OtherYen clientsincludeEnter- Media Spotifypodcastsandafirst-look Yen repped Majordomo DavidChang’s dios AmericaandNewRepublicPictures. include AT&T, ContentPartners, ITVStu- of bigYouTube channelCocomelon;clients fect World Pictures. Conneradvisedsellers East West Per- BankandBeijing-based • MANATT, PHELPS&PHILLIPS Partner, Entertainment Sophia Yen Leader andPartner, Entertainment Lindsay Conner 70 70 Theduorepresents SonyEntertainment, ● FOCUS Financiers are nowembrac- • FINKELSTEIN &LEZCANO DEL SHAW MOONVES TANAKA Partner Loan Dang pushing for furtherchange.” celebrate, itshouldn’tstopusfrom ships,” Dangsays.“Sowhileweshould era, executiveranks andboard member- little progress, includingbehindthecam- major areas where there hasbeenvery buttheremade [indiversity], are still More Done: toBe year dealwithWarner Bros. Animation. Davidson. Thelatteralsosignedathree- ents RachelRamras, Larry DorfandHugh Woman intheHouse,”created bycli- and handledtalks for Netflix series“The imprint publishingdealfor Charlamagne with iHeartMedia..Dangalsoclosedan the BlackEffect Podcast Network deal ThaGod’s Audible andCharlamagne DangnegotiatedKevin Hart’sdealwith “Progress hadbeen Steve McQueen. Cervantes de Reinstein’s Steve McQueen.Cervantes deReinstein’s Waller-Bridgelikes of Lizzo,Phoebe and ects, aswellproduction dealswiththe zon Studiosonitsfeature andTVproj- sports. DarwellservesascounseltoAma- from traditional studios andstreamers to tainment practice covers alotof ground, • SHEPPARD MULLIN Partners Robb Klein Leif Cervantes deReinstein Robert Darwell Sheppard Mullin’s L.A.-based enter- Sheppard Mullin’sL.A.-based constant shutdowns,”saysKlein. taking longer,becausethey’re subjectto duction isalittlemore expensive,andit’s Pandemic’s Trickle-Down Effect: seriesreboot of “TheMightyDucks.”Plus and EmilioEstevez’s role intheDisney ment’s sequelsto“TheKissing Booth.” productions, includingKomixx Entertain- financing, production anddistributionof of “MosquitoCoast.”Kleinworks onthe for aseriesreboot with AppleTVPlus tle inits$85millionlicenseagreement headline dealsincluderepping Freman- “Pro- Kissing Booth 2.” including “The deals for films team negotiated Sheppard Mullin's 12.09.2020

Conner, Yen: Scott Windus; Darwell: Courtesy of Sheppard Mullin Cervantes de Reinstein: Courtesy Cervantes de Reinstein; Klein: Courtesy of Robb Klein; Kissing Booth 2: Marcos Cruz/Netflix Congratulations to our Dealmakers Impact honorees Darrell D. Miller Marc H. Simon

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Untitled-22 1 12/3/20 4:39 PM 72 ● FOCUS 12.09.2020

Ariel Deckelbaum Thomas Dey David C. Eisman Craig Emanuel Partner Founder, CEO, President Partner, Global Head of Entertainment Partner; Chair, Global Entertainment and Group Media Practice PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON Richard Gray Managing Director SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM PAUL HASTINGS • Deckelbaum helped shepherd to a suc- ACF INVESTMENT BANK cessful close in December 2019 one • Eisman repped Platinum Equity Advis- • Emanuel’s client list includes writer-di- of the most significant media deals of • Dey and Gray remained busy all ers in acquiring the distribution-services rector-producers Robert Rodriguez (Net- the past 12 months, advising the Spe- throughout a turbulent year. Dey advised business of Deluxe Entertainment and flix’s “We Are Heroes”) and Tony Gilroy cial Committee of the Board of Direc- execs and Annabel Jones also CineVizion; and separately counseled (untitled Disney Plus “Rogue One” series), tors of CBS Corp. in its successful merger on the sale of their company to Netflix, Qatar-based beIN Media for selling a 49% actress , production com- with , representing an enter- marking the streamer’s first acquisition stake in Miramax in a reported $375 mil- panies Sight Unseen and , prise value exceeding $40 billion. He also of a scripted . Dey lion deal. Other clients of the Los Ange- and endlessly prolific creator Ryan Mur- repped Fortress Investment Group, the also advised on Neal Street’s earn-out les-based attorney include David Maisel’s phy (Netflix’s “Ratched,” “The Prom”). New York-based management firm that with All3Media. Gray advised on the Immi- Mythos Studios, Shamrock Capital and Recently, he repped the Lumistella Co. operates New Media Investment Group, in grant’s production deal with Fremantle UTA. Per Eisman, “the strong demand in its seven-figure rights deal for “Elf on New Media’s $1.4 billion cash-and-stock and Bron Ventures, as well as on the sale for streaming is driving investor interest the Shelf” with Netflix and Clive Davis in acquisition of Gannett. of Blackfin to eOne, and the creation of in three buckets: labels, publishers and his pact to produce the Whitney Houston Innovation: “Changes in the media Plimsoll Prods. in a deal valuing the com- catalogs.” biopic “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” industry have redefined traditional roles pany at over $100 million. Pumping Tunes: Exercise equip- Zoom Fail: “I think there’s a real ineffi- and created new opportunities for law- Pandemic Economies: “Things have ment-makers bundle tunes with their ciency if you work with a team of law- yers to innovate, making it an exciting become more efficient as there’s less products for a new music-industry reve- yers and you can’t sit down together and area to practice in,” Deckelbaum says. travel and more time spent on getting nue stream that can also promote emerg- go through a document in their physical things accomplished,” says Dey. ing artists, Eisman notes. presence,” he says.

We congratulate our clients, colleagues and friends recognized in Variety’s 2020 Dealmakers Impact Report including our partners Marc Chamlin and Debbie White. We also congratulate June Tan for being recognized on the Up Next List.

LOS ANGELES WASHINGTON, DC NEW YORK CHICAGO BEIJING NASHVILLE HONG KONG loeb.com Deckelbaum: Taylor Hooper; Emanuel: Bob Long Taylor Deckelbaum: Carolyn Hunt Jason Karlov Film, Television Music & & Digital Media Live Events AT THE HEART OF ENTERTAINMENT, MEDIA AND SPORTS

Barnes & Thornburg applauds our own Carolyn Hunt, Jason Karlov, Bryan Thompson, Rebekah Prince, Steve Weizenecker, Ryan Barncastle, Bryan Thompson Rebekah Prince Steve Weizenecker Scott Witlin and Amanda Taber Television, Digital Media Sports & Entertainment Production Incentives: Film, for being recognized in the 2020 & Financing Corporate Transactions Television & Video Games Variety Dealmakers Impact Report. Congratulations to you and all the honorees!

Ryan Barncastle Scott Witlin Amanda Taber Sports & Entertainment, Finance Union & Guild Music & & Corporate Transactions Agreements Live Events

ATLANTA CALIFORNIA CHICAGO DELAWARE INDIANA MICHIGAN MINNEAPOLIS NEW YORK OHIO RALEIGH SALT LAKE CITY TEXAS WASHINGTON, D.C.

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Untitled-11 1 12/3/20 4:07 PM 74 ● FOCUS 12.09.2020

Alan J. Epstein Rob Freeman Mike Fries Chair, Entertainment and Media Group; Partner, Sports Group; Co-Head, CEO, Vice Chairman Chair, West Coast Business Transactions Technology, Media & Telecommunications LIBERTY GLOBAL Group Group

VENABLE PROSKAUER • Fries recently closed the $7 billion acquisition of Sunrise Communications. • Epstein handles transactional and tax • Freeman’s recent deals include repping But his biggest deal of 2020 was the $30 matters for high-profile production com- ForgeLight in its acquisition of a majority billion U.K. merger between Virgin Media panies including J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot, stake in leading Univision Holdings, Cox broadband/TV business and the country’s and Imagine Communications in its new carriage deal largest mobile operator, O2, in May. Entertainment. But his most impressive with Disney, the Group in its launch Good Deals: “To consistently make good recent accomplishments have been his of Fox Bet, and Spectrum Networks in its deals, you generally need three things: celebrity influencer deals, such as Ryan agreement with AT&T for the launch of deep knowledge of the asset so you can Reynolds’ $610 million sale of Ambassa- Spectrum SportsNet L.A., which brought quickly assess what the bid/ask means dor Gin to British spirits giant Diageo in Dodgers baseball games to its customers in real terms; a fundamental — not emo- August. He also engineered the “Dead- after a seven-year blackout. tional — view on when to draw a line in pool” star’s new deal with Mint Mobile. Fun With Force Majeure Clauses: “If the sand; and, perhaps most important, Looking on the Bright Side: “Even a pandemic is not listed in the laundry a level of trust between principals.” Fries though the method of consumption con- list of contract terms as a force majeure continues: “When you’re second-guess- tinues to change, the fact of consumption event, it becomes a question of what the ing motives and credibility, you almost does not, and that’s always good for our law is in each individual state,” he says. always lose sight of the bigger picture. Alan J. Epstein engineered lucrative deals business,” he says. Everyone needs to feel good about the for "Deadpool" star Ryan Reynolds. outcome.”

Craig Emanuel Mickey Mayerson Susan Williams Scott Oranburg

As the media and entertainment landscape continues to evolve, new entrants and industry veterans alike count on a team of savvy advisors and industry experts to help them navigate new paths to growth.

Congratulations to our partners Craig Emanuel, Mickey Mayerson and Susan Williams for being recognized in Variety’s 2020 Dealmakers Impact Report, and our own Scott Oranburg for being named as one of Variety’s “Up Next” Dealmakers. We applaud all of this year’s honorees. Deadpool: David Dolsen/ Marvel/ Twentieth Century Fox Deadpool: David Dolsen/ Marvel/ Twentieth Untitled-11 1 12/4/20 12:57 PM way suchasImaxtheaters,” Galsorsays. global theatricalreleases ina premium streaming serviceswillbeproviding large spectaclemovieswillevolvewhere marketing buzz.“Themoviemodelfor ies toplacatecreative talentandcreate atrical releases for theirbiggest mov- ers toeventuallyembrace significantthe- Going Large: equity thatistrulyatrisk,”Galsorsays. because peoplehavetoputuptheirown way smaller,independentfilmsgetmade likely self-insure, but“that’schangingthe atic duetothepandemic,bigplayers will City. Withproduction insurance problem- movie. Thefiveare basedinCentury tian”) for anoriginalUniversal Pictures bury; andnovelistAndyWeir (“TheMar- his NatGeodocs;theestateof RayBrad- Savranskaia advisedJamesCameron on Hollywood talentandliterary authors, theBoss.”rebooting Repping “Who’s Knight”; andTony DanzaandDanFarah rector MohamedDiabfor TVseries“Moon in space;Hemsworthfor “Thor”;writer-di- advised Tom Cruise for a movieshooting dling talentintandemwithGalsor,Muir “You CannotKillDavidArquette.” Han- wellness appCentr;anddocumentaryfilm hisHemsworth for financing/launching for itsextendedreality content;Chris publisher Fourward Music;XRStudios advised onfinancingtolaunchmusic tainment financingtransactions, James “The War WithGrandpa.” Working enter- tune-oriented docus;andfinancingfor including “Bloodshot”;Warner Musicfor on multiplefilmfinancingtransactions, tions, Moore handlesCross Creek Pictures ties. Working film/TV financialtransac- Networks for TVadaptionsof litproper- Impossible” movies(withMuir);andAMC Tom Cruisefor back-to-back“Mission: ing big-budgetNetflix “TheGray Man”); and AnthonyRusso (directing/produc- includeJoe and newdigitalmedia.Clients tion companiesinfilm,television,games • GREENBERG GLUSKER Partners Alla Savranskaia Mark Muir Sally James Schuyler “Sky”Moore Partner, Headof Entertainment Matt Galsor 76 Galsor represents talentandproduc- ● FOCUS Galsorexpectsstream-

the industryrunning.” figure outhowthisallworks tokeep he says.“Theywere like we’vegotto “They weren’t hostilenegotiations,” COVID KumbayaWithStudios: crew members (e.g., hairandmakeup). sharing livingspacewithonlyhands-on Netflix film“Unforgiven” thathadher Bullock ontheVancouver locationof her quarantine housingfor clientSandra new typesof deals,suchassettingup pact. Post-shutdown, henegotiated Productions onitsUniversal Television extension for theproducer andhisWolf then negotiatedanine-figure five-year to hiscatalogof procedurals inJanuary, with Peacock for thestreaming rights • GRANDERSON DES ROCHERS Partners Josh Sandler Elizabeth Moody Andre DesRochers Damien Granderson • ZIFFREN BRITTENHAM Senior Partner Gilbert-LurieCliff says Granderson. like Spotify,Netflix, TikTok andTriller,” in contentstreaming viaplatforms volume in2020becauseof theuptick experienced unprecedented transaction Lift: Platform with clientssuchasPete Davidson. and Ne-Yo. Sandlerhandlescomedy, Moody shepherds clientsincludingTriller Lane’s role inAmazonseries“.” andSasha “Ma Rainey’sBlackBottom” pacts includeTaylour Paige’s dealfor performance agreement. DesRochers’ tary onAmazonandaSuperBowl for singerJBlavin,includingadocumen- deals encompass aslewof signings nomic disruption.Granderson’s recent sectors bestpositionedtoweathereco- firm pivotedbyallocatingresources to thepandemichit, and sports.When media, technology,podcasts,lifestyle Rochers covers music,film,TV,new York andLos Angeles,Granderson Des ment lawfirmsandwith Gilbert-Lurie closedDickWolf’s deal Oneof thefewBlack-owned enter “Our practices haveall offices in New

tain-

ily existbefore” created akinshipthatdidn’tnecessar- in thebackground. Theinformality has each other’sdogsbarkingorkidstalking on mycellphone,andweoften hear lawyers regularly callortextmedirectly at home,colleagues,agents,andtalent Remote Work Works: including “HillbillyElegy.” “auction-style negotiations”for movies but shealsoenjoyedthecompetitive Chronicles 2”wasahighlight, Christmas Establishing afranchise with“The has kept Haffnerandherteambusy. scribers hungryfor newcontent,which live events, advertising, licensing and live events,advertising, licensingand • NETFLIX Original StudioFilms Senior Counsel,Business &Legal Affairs, Julie Haffner • BARNES ÞBURG Associate Amanda Taber Partners Ryan Barncastle Scott Witlin Bryan Thompson Rebekah Prince Steve Weizenecker Carolyn Hunt Practice Group Entertainment,Media&Sports Chair, Jason Karlov Stay-at-home orders haveNetflix sub- Karlov handles music, television, film, Karlov handlesmusic,television, film, “Since we’re all

-DAMIEN GRANDERSON 2020 BECAUSE OF THE UPTICK album of theirlives.” ated overtheircareers. It’slike aphoto deal for thecopyrightsthatthey’vecre- has adegree of humanattachmenttoany lishing rights,Karlovsays,“eachclient tempted bysky-high offers for theirpub- Not JusttheMoney: says, includingtestingandnurses onset. due to“alotof newCOVID costs,”Hunt lov. Production budgetsare more complex live events,often collaborating withKar- media andsports.Taber works musicand corporate transactions inentertainment, ment law. Barncastle handlestalentand works entertainmentlaborandemploy- Media, HBO, MGMandViacom Intl.Witlin Media,eOne,Ingenious include Bounce TV andvideogameindustries.Hisclients Bank. Weizenecker focuses onthefilm, digital media;clientsincludeMUFG Union distribution dealsintelevision,filmand financing, development,production and for Russell Westbrook. Thompsonhandles celebrity endorsement deals,including tainment, corporate transactions and ducers .Princeworks onsports,enter- senting financialinstitutionsandpro- film, TVanddigitalmedia,often repre- focuses onfinanceanddistributionin Burnett.Hunt music publishing,TBone Dylan,JohnFogerty,Bob Grateful Dead technology matters. Hisclientsinclude IN CONTENT STREAMING." TRANSACTION VOLUME IN EXPERIENCED UNPRECEDENTED OUR PRACTICES HAVE ALL story orproduct.” slate rather thanaspecificproperty or atively, theyare startingwith a blank plicated byvirtueof thefactthatcre- ture, multi-year dealthat’smore com- Lego,” saysKleinberg.“It’samulti-pic- versal dealearlierthisyearonbehalfof Fresh Start: sought-after intellectualproperty. tion companies,andoutfits thatown ers, independentproducers, produc- Smith workswithactors, agreement withUniversal Pictures. financing-production-and-distribution entered intoamultiyearmotionpicture theatrical filmsfor Warner Bros. and licensed theproduction of four major while alsoworkingwithLego, whichhas entry inthe“Fantasticseries, Beasts” event film“Vermillion,” whichisthethird and legalissues regarding upcoming Rowlingandhandledbusinessreps J.K. • KLEINBERG LANGECUDDY &CARLO Partners Jill Smith Kenneth Kleinberg Theduohashadabusyyear. Kleinberg “We closedtheLego-Uni- As music talent gets As musictalentgets 12.09.2020 directors, writ-

Des Rochers: Courtesy of Jai Lennard; Karlov, Hunt, Weizenecker, Prince, Thompson, Witlin, Barncastle, Taber: Gittings Photography

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Untitled-15 1 12/3/20 4:11 PM District. Thosewere among100titles dios andalsoacquired thelibrary of Film- spread across sixdifferent Hollywoodstu- by investors inthree different filmslates assets boughtfinancialinterests held • CONTENT PARTNERS Executive VP John M.Mass Co-Founder, ChiefOperations Officer,CFO Steven E.Blume Co-Founder, President, CEO Steven Kram 78 78 The acquirer of intellectualproperty ● FOCUS the industryfor abettertomorrow. reset todothingsdifferently,” positioning force thebusiness toadapt,innovate and the pandemicandtechnologicalchange be tough.But“historyshowseventslike through timesof business upheaval can Road toTomorrow: creating newcontent.” are nownotonlyinlicensingcontentbut would beasdominantforces asthey andDisneyPlus Amazon, AppleTVPlus thought 10or15years agothatNetflix, Mass marvelsthat“whowouldhave entities. Looking atHollywoodtoday, viduals, financiers, estatesandother business purchasing IPassets from indi- based Kram, BlumeandMass helma acquired inthepastyear. Los Angeles- PERSPECTIVE." -BRYAN LACOUR AND APPROACH IT FROM THAT TO WIN THE CLIENT'S BUSINESS, UNDERDOGASSUMING YOU'RE AN IT'S ALWAYS TO BETTER GOIN Mass saysliving says. Hesays“anotable,butnotneces- to havemaybearecord quarter,”LaCour ity haspicked upatMUFG and“we’re set of alltimeowingtothepandemic,activ- • FINANCE GROUP MUFG UNIONBANK –ENTERTAINMENT Director Matthew Rosenberg Managing Director Tony Beaudoin Head of EntertainmentFinance Bryan LaCour After enduringitstwo slowestquarters can onlyleadtodisappointment.” spective,” LaCour says.“Overconfidence business, andapproach iffrom thatper- you’re anunderdog towintheclient’s “It’s alwaysbettertogoinassuming Negotiating 101: sizable project loan.” season fiveof ‘Narcos.’ Thatwasapretty ent of ours, Gaumont[Television] USA for duction-side loanfor averyimportantcli- We alsoclosedthefinancingonapro- so therelationship couldcertainlygrow. “Parasite.” “They’re anewercompany, U.S. distributorof theOscar-winning film sarily thelargest”dealwaswithNeon, Avoid overconfidence. distributor, Neon. U.S. “Parasite” out adealfor hammered finance group entertainment Union Bank's MUFG 12.09.2020

LaCour, Beaudoin: Toyo Miyatake; Parasite: Neon 12.09.2020 VARIETY ● 79

Rick Levy Linda Lichter Sheri Linzell Peter Luo General Counsel Founding Partner Business Affairs Executive Founder & CEO Jamie Feldman ICM PARTNERS WME STARLIGHT MEDIA Managing Partner • Levy was instrumental in engineering • In addition to securing first-look deals • It’s been a busy year for Luo with Sam LICHTER GROSSMAN NICHOLS ADLER ICM Talent’s $150 million private equity for Lizzo at Amazon and for ’s Raimi’s supernatural horror film “Umma” FELDMAN & CLARK deal with Crestview Partners in December at Apple TV Plus, in production, James Wan’s “Malignant” 2019. This enabled him to cut a series • Lichter repped Chloé Zhao directing Linzell played a key role in a straight-to- in post, and Yung Chang’s “Wuhan of big deals in 2020, including the acqui- “Nomadland” and Marvel movie “The series deal bringing “Kings of America” Wuhan” documentary. He’s hopeful that sition of London-based agencies Stellar Eternals.” She also advises Niki Caro to Netflix. She also negotiated deals on Starlight Media’s Stars Collective initia- Group, the world’s largest soccer agency, (Amazon series “Daisy Jones & the Six”). behalf of Steven Spielberg/Amblin Enter- tive as well as a joint venture partnership and Primary Talent, a music booker Feldman handled tainment and Danny Boyle. with Lion Forge Animation will generate with a roster of 900 artists, and the pur- for his multi-layered WarnerMedia deal; Backend or Buyout?: “Right now, ground-breaking content with univer- chase of a minority stake in Swedish lit Barry Jenkins (“” prequel); streaming platforms generally only exploit sal appeal. agency Albatros. Viola Davis to star in “Ma Rainey’s Black their shows on their own platforms, but Global Promise: “Never has there been Don’t Call It Goodbye: In January, Levy Bottom.” Production shutdowns have there could be a world in the future where a better moment to lean into the future announced he’d be retiring from ICM Tal- caused aa “10-car pileup on the free- they decide to sell their shows to a third of global storytelling,” Luo says. “And by ent at year’s end, but he plans to remain way,” says Feldman, with more projects party … like how HBO eventually started that, I mean backing diverse voices who on the board of several of its portfolio speeding up the entrance ramp. selling their shows in syndication,” Linzell will tell new and authentic stories that companies, including Stellar, Albatros Let’s Chat! “Everybody wants to talk says. “There’s additional revenue from audiences globally will embrace. Our aim and the Just for Laughs Group. about their lives, their families, where that, but if the deal had the full buyout, [with the Stars Collective initiative] is to they are living,” observes Lichter. “We the client would never see any of those provide real opportunities for emerging need to talk and we can’t go to lunch.” future revenue streams.” filmmakers to break out in a big way.”

Sidley congratulates our partners RICHARD PETRETTI MATTHEW THOMPSON ANNIE WALLIS and all of Variety’s Dealmakers Impact Honorees

Harnessing decades of experience, Sidley’s media and entertainment team works seamlessly across legal disciplines and time zones to help clients achieve their global business objectives.

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Attorney Advertising - Sidley Austin LLP, One South Dearborn, Chicago, IL 60603. +1 312 853 7000. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. MN-14126 • REED SMITH Industry Group Partner, Entertainment&Media Stacy Marcus been atoppriority.” luxury market intothedigitalspacehas ness, Marcus says,“transitioning the upending traditional waysof doingbusi- Adjusting for COVID: $58 millionthisyear. and repped endorsement dealstotaling deals for celebritiesandluxurybrands on track. Marcus additionally handles the commercial production industryback COVID-19 safety protocols, helpingtoget She alsolednegotiationsfor theJPC’s billion commercial production contract. ent unions,negotiatingamassive $3 tee initstalks withSAG-AFTRA tal- for theadindustry’sJointPolicy Commit- 80 Marcus servedaschief negotiator ● FOCUS With thepandemic and provide more thanjustcapital.” ships, andbybeingabletobecreative our capabilityandbuildpartner- We dothatthrough continuingtobuild thing. Iwanttobuildsomethingstable. want toliveordiebyonedeal almost theopposite,”hesays.“Idon’t vidual dealasthebe-allandend-all; The BigPicture: we’re goingtodothateverytime.” that couldturnintosomethingexciting, we canfindwaystotake smallrisks funding TVpilotsinSoutheastAsia.“If ers clamoringfor content,he’sbegun and “AfterWe Collided.”Withstream- — theatricalreleases of “HonestThief” with somethingunthinkable thesedays 2018; Masciellorecently relaunched it • RAVEN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT Principal James Masciello RavenboughtOpenRoadFilmsin “Idon’tviewanyindi- but theywere inevitable,”hesays. been accelerated duetothequarantine, Pandemic: Don’t BlametheNewNormalon ber boutwithRoyJonesJr. League, whichlaunchedwithhisNovem- Mike Tyson, forming theLegends Only Eros Innovations inajointventure with Entertainment banner. Healsorepped three companiesundertheSpringHill of LeBron JamesandMaverickCarter’s andhandlingthereorganizationChina; lion withoperations intheU.S., Indiaand licly traded companyvalued at$600mil- to create Eros STX GlobalCorp.,apub- in itsmergerwithSTX Entertainment and entertainment,repping Eros Intl. • GIBSON, DUNN&CRUTCHER ment andTechnology Practice Group Partner Media,Entertain- andCo-Chair, Kevin S.Masuda Masuda straddled theworldsof sports “I dothinkchangeshave work injeansandJamesPerse T-shirts.” every singleday,”hesays.“Now,Igoto 40 years, I’vewornasuitandtietowork Enjoying COVID Casual: Liev Schreiber. the RiverandIntoTrees,” starring tation of ErnestHemingway’s “Across the structuringfinancingfor itsadap- Shields, andTribune Entertainmentin mas,” starringCaryElwesandBrooke its dealwithNetflix for “Castlefor Christ- during thepandemic,repping MPCA in He alsosetupseveral features thatshot icy for independentfilmandTVprojects. its first-of-its-kind COVID Insurance Pol- recovery, helpingSpottedRiskdesign • PAUL HASTINGS Partner, EntertainmentandMediaPractice Mickey Mayerson Mayerson didhispartfor thepandemic 12.09.2020 “For almost

Masuda: Laurel Hungerford; Mayerson: Bob Long Congratulations to our Media and Entertainment team

Tom Afshin Scott Katherine Ara Beyzaee Bradford Imp

David Ben Robert Alexander Markman Mulcahy Sherman Steinberg UP NEXT honoree and our former colleague (now General Counsel at Vindex)

Gina Reif Ilardi

on being named Variety’s 2020 Dealmakers Impact Honorees.

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Untitled-16 1 12/3/20 4:12 PM Gutter Credit cruel,” hesays. just beingperceived asinsensitiveand a real riskof pissing everyoneoff or legal basiswasonething,butthere was Majeure” andStoppedPaying: (Some)When StudiosCried“Force Vance “Ludacris”Bridges. andChris ents includeAngelaBassett, CourtneyB. of theEmmyAwards telecast.Othercli- making himthefirst Blackexecproducer He alsohandledReginaldHudlin’spact, content produced byBlackcreators. scripted, unscriptedanddocumentary with CBSTelevision Studiostodevelop repping theNAACP inamultiyeardeal in promoting systemicchangeinthebiz, ters protests, Millertookanactiverole • FOX ROTHSCHILD & SportsLaw Department Partner; Founding Entertainment Chair, Darrell D.Miller 82 Inthewake of theBlackLivesMat- ● FOCUS “The • VINE ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS Managing Partner, CEO James P. Moore normal, butmaybe2022is.” the yearwhere theatricalgetsbackto was,” Moore says.“Somaybe2021isn’t lum neverswingsbackquiteasfarit see itcomingback,buteverypendu- swung veryfarinonedirection. Ido as apendulum.Andthispendulumhas Return tonormal: iconic libraries. EuropaCorp, whichbothcamewith chase of Lakeshore Entertainmentand lishing. He’salsoexcitedbyVine’s pur- has begunexpandingintomusicpub- lutely therightdeal”for Vine, which Calvin Harris’musiccatalogas“abso- Moore citestherecent acquisitionof “I viewallof itlike ing e-sportsinfrastructure platform that sel for DLAPiperclientVindex, alead- ber, Ilardi left tobecomegeneral coun- global esportstournaments.InSeptem- turing andactivating more than60 ing gamingplatform Twitch onstruc- Major League Baseball;andcounsel- exclusive on-fielduniform supplierfor its dealtoreplace UnderArmourasthe aspects of itsHBO Maxlaunch;Nike in included repping WarnerMedia in Piper, where theiraccomplishments Three years agotheylandedatDLA years across three lawfirms. • VINDEX General Counsel Gina ReifIlardi DLA PIPER Partner Mulcahy Ben Mulcahy andIlardi collaborated for 15 -BEN MULCAHY their films,”saysMulcahy. major studiosare abletohavefor an effect onthekindof budgets irrevocably, andit’sgoingtohave tures hasbeendisruptedperhaps theatrical distributionof motionpic- The ShrinkingTentpole: gaming arenas. plans toinvest$300millionin ABLE TO HAVE FOR THEIR FILMS." BUDGETS MAJORSTUDIOS ARE HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE KINDOF IRREVOCABLY, AND IT'S GOING TO HAS BEENDISRUPTED PERHAPS BUTION OFMOTION PICTURES I THINK THETHEATRICALDISTRI- 12.09.2020 “Ithinkthe

Mulcahy: Dennis Trantham/Westside Studio; Reif Ilardi: Courtesy of David Beyda/Gina Reif Ilardi 12.09.2020 VARIETY ● 83

Videogame Mashup: Irwin observes that “popular entertainment is mov- ing inside video games or on to gam- ing platforms, and it’s happening with increasing speed.” For example, music concerts now stream in games, and “Star Wars” spawned a galaxy of games that are practically freestanding. Perry Adrian Perry sees partnerships proliferating because Partner and Co-Chair of the Music Industry they “increase royalty opportunities Practice Group for artists and rights holders. And it’ll increase investor interest in music cat- Stuart Irvin alogs because of the added value.” Of Counsel, Founder Video Games and Esports Practice

COVINGTON & BURLING Elsa Ramo worked on TV projects such as “Cheer,” • Perry advised Central European Media Founding and Managing Partner “Bad Education,” “Grace and Frankie,” Enterprises in its $2.1 billion sale; Wash- and “Wu-Tang: An American Saga,” and ington, D.C.-based Monumental Sports Michelle Chang feature films including “Arkansas,” “Chick & Entertainment in a ports-betting ven- Erika Canchola Fight,” “Four Good Days,” and “Holler.” ture; and extended Alliance for Lifetime Partners And in a rapidly fluctuating year, the trio Income’s sponsorship for Rolling Stones has made the necessary adjustments, RAMO LAW concerts. New York-based Perry advises doing deals for Disney Plus, Netflix, Apple Disney, NBA, NHL, Sony Music, Universal • Ramo Law provides business affairs TV Plus and HBO Max. Music and WWE. Washington D.C.-based and legal services for clients such as Changes in Behavior: “The stream- Irvin represented Activision-Blizzard for THE STREAMING WARS KICKED , Boardwalk Pic- ing wars kicked off the beginning of the Ramo Law an e-sports league connected to “Call OFF THE BEGINNING OF THE tures, Scout Prods., Skydance and the year, and now COVID is a foundational handled legal of Duty”; and Tencent for “Honor of Kings” YEAR, AND NOW COVID IS A Jim Henson Co. for projects at all stages force, and it’s of course changed every- matters for TV e-sports league. Irwin’s other clients FOUNDATIONAL FORCE AND of production. Ramo Law originally thing,” says Ramo. “We’ve been noticing shows including include Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Psy- IT'S OF COURSE CHANGED focused on traditionally financed inde- how transitional behavior is affecting how “Grace and onix Studios and Riot Games. EVERYTHING." -ELSA RAMO pendent films, but this past year has people find their content.” Frankie.” Ramo, Chang: Dennis Trantham/ Westside Studio; Grace and Frankie: Ali Goldstein/Netflix and Frankie: Studio; Grace Westside Ramo, Chang: Dennis Trantham/ 84 ● FOCUS 12.09.2020

MUSIC IS MUCH MORE INTERESTING AND COMPLICATED FROM A LEGAL POINT OF VIEW BECAUSE IT'S EASILY ADAPTABLE TO ALL SORTS OF OTHER TYPES OF PRODUCTS." -BOBBY ROSENBLOUM Scott Ratner Adam Reiss Bobby Rosenbloum COO Executive VP, Associate General Counsel Chairman, Global Entertainment & Media Practice OBB MEDIA FOX CORP. Carissa Coze GREENBERG TRAURIG • Ratner played a key role in the reported $20 million+ sale of the splashy, 10-part Partner, Content, Media & Entertainment • In the past year, Rosenbloum has over- YouTube/ docuseries “Sea- Practice & Co-Chair, Corporate Practice. seen and advised on music deals gen- sons,” as well as the “Seasons” album JENNER & BLOCK and TV programming. Their earlier deals erating $3 billion-plus of value, but they rollout via a deal with Def Jam to produce include the launch of Fox Bet, the first-of- weren’t typical record contract and con- music videos for every song on the album. • The duo have partnered on numer- its kind national media and sports wager- cert tour deals. The Atlanta-based attor- “We’re always looking for creative ways ous media deals for Fox over the years. ing partnership in the U.S. ney specializes in helping companies in to finance projects,” says Ratner, and in Recently they repped Fox in its $440 mil- The Right Deal at the Right Time: “Fox’s the streaming, fitness, social media and 2020, despite COVID-19 turning many lion acquisition of Tubi TV, a leader in the acquisition of Tubi marked a strategic gaming spaces navigate global music businesses upside down, the company he free ad-supported streaming category. expansion of Fox’s digital reach and a licensing. Clients include Facebook, co-founded has remained very busy. The transaction, which was announced transformative investment for Tubi,” per Snapchat, Spotify, Dick Clark Prods., Mic- Forging Ahead: “We haven’t slowed in March and closed in April amid the the duo. “The substantial growth in Tubi’s rosoft, Condé Nast and Equinox Media/ down,” he says. “We’re looking for new COVID-19 pandemic, positioned the com- total view time and advertiser base since SoulCycle. He’s also deputy general coun- and fresh content, and we’ve put into pany squarely among streaming plat- the acquisition evidences the need that sel for the Recording Academy. action very effective safety precautions. forms and underscored its commitment enhancing this streaming service has Music Law vs. Film & TV Law: “Music is We’re working with limited crews, and to compete in the direct-to-consumer helped to fill while our audiences have much more interesting and complicated doing constant testing.” space. Tubi is available on more than faced the unique challenges of 2020 from a legal point of view because it’s 25 digital platforms in the U.S. with over which, in that context, makes this deal a easily adaptable to all sorts of other types 20,000 titles and 56,000 hours of film little more meaningful to us.” of products,” he says.

MATTHEW SYRKIN

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A WELL-DESERVED HONOR FOR OUTSTANDINGOUTSTANDING WORK

--1 12.09.2020 VARIETY ● 85

Dan Scharf was instrumental in Amazon Prime Video's acquisition of “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.” Barbara M. Rubin Dan Scharf Partner, Chair of the Entertainment Global Head of Business Affairs Department AMAZON STUDIOS GLASER WEIL • Scharf oversees negotiations for all of • Rubin serves a wide assortment of cli- Amazon Prime Video’s original content, ents, including Martin Sheen, Anonymous encompassing both TV and feature films, Content and station owner E.W. Scripps as well as Amazon’s international original Media, which in September announced programming. Over the past year he has the planned acquisition of national closed deals , Steve broadcaster Ion Media for $2.65 billion. McQueen and Gloria Calderon-Kellett. She also teaches at Loyola Law School. Scharf has also engineered cast deals, In a year dominated by COVID-19, she’s including those with , felt the changes. “All business is per- and Jonas. Addition- sonal, and we’ve lost much of that human ally he closed the IP deal for the series touch,” Rubin says. “Fallout” (under Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Getting Intimate: Despite the loss of Joy’s overall Amazon agreement), and led human contact, says Rubin, “by Zoom- negotiations for upcoming greenlit series Standing Out: “In a hyper-competitive Music, Amazon Fashion, Audible, ing we’ve gotten to peek into our busi- including “Jack Reacher,” “Terminal List” market for top people and projects, Alexa or other areas within the com- ness colleagues’ homes. They too have and “I Know What You Did Last Summer.” we’ve found ways to differentiate our- pany, we’ve been able to leverage demanding children and messy rooms On the feature side, Scharf was instru- selves from our competitors across these assets to both land hot prop- with bad lighting. Might this bring new mental in the acquisition of Sacha Baron series and movies,” says Scharf. erties and expand the businesses of empathy to our business?” Cohen’s “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.” “Whether it’s partnering with Amazon our more entrepreneurial creators.”

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CONGRATULATIONS to Variety’s DEALMAKERS IMPACT HONOREES

ESPECIALLY OUR COLLEAGUES: Daniel H. Black | Bobby Rosenbloum

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KEY ENTERTAINMENT CENTERS Greenberg Traurig, LLP GreenbergTraurigLLP GT_Law GT_Law Amsterdam, Atlanta, Austin, ¬, Denver, Las Vegas, London*, Los Angeles, The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about Miami, New York, our qualifi cations and our experience. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Greenberg Traurig is a service mark and trade name of Greenberg Traurig, LLP and Greenberg Traurig, P.A. ©2020 Greenberg Traurig, LLP. Attorneys at Law. All rights reserved. Attorney Advertising. Contact: Daniel H. Black in Los Angeles at 310.586.7700 San Francisco, Silicon Valley, or Bobby Rosenbloum in Atlanta at 678.553.2100. °These numbers are subject to fl uctuation. ¬Greenberg Traurig’s Berlin offi ce is operated by Greenberg Traurig Germany, an affi liate of Greenberg Traurig, P.A. and Greenberg Traurig, LLP. *Operates as a separate UK registered legal entity. 34669 Washington D.C. Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Amazon Subsequent Moviefilm: Borat 86 ● FOCUS 12.09.2020

production and distribution businesses cacy for the best interests of its cli- around the world. “Though our respec- ents. Recent deals include a pact with tive concentrations vary, we share a sin- MGM — winner of a five-studio bid- gular focus on finding the best solutions ding war — for Ta-Nehisi Coates’ “The for our clients,” Shaheen says. The com- Water Dancer,” whereby the author pany closed multiple multimillion-dol- will write and produce with Bad Robot lar deals in the past year or so for clients along with his partner Kamilah Forbes. including Concord Music Publishing, Exile, Other deals include Gina Prince- New Regency, Endeavor Content, Enter- Nina Shaw Bythewood’s and husband Reg- tainment One, , National CineMe- Founding Partner gie Rock Bythewood’s overall agree- dia and Funko. ment with Touchstone Television; and COVID-19 Trends: “While COVID has been Gordon Bobb Nikole Hannah-Jones’ deal with Lions- difficult and caused widespread uncer- Partner gate and for her tainty, many trends that were emerg- DEL SHAW MOONVES TANAKA FINKELSTEIN to produce all properties based on ing pre-pandemic have rapidly acceler- & LEZCANO Pulitzer-winning “The 1619” Project,” ated, such as shifts to streaming services which she developed. Hannah-Jones David Shaheen and premium video-on-demand releas- • It’s well known that Del Shaw Moonves will produce all projects in all media Head of Entertainment Industries & ing models,” Shaheen says. “It has helped was way ahead of its time when it comes derived from the series. West Region us quickly evolve towards thinking about to embracing diversity and inclusion Embracing the Cause: “We continue new ways to finance the industry and help in the legal profession. Equally recog- to adjust to the remote workplace,” Reggie Lang our clients thrive.” nized is the firm’s unwavering advo- says Shaw. “However, the partners Jeff Bazoian didn’t think it exempted us from the Darian Singer self-examination and reckoning being discussed by most of America. We Managing Directors held a firmwide event following the J.P. MORGAN CORPORATE CLIENT BANKING murder of George Floyd, which Gor- INDUSTRIES GROUP don Bobb and I hosted. We encour- aged candid conversations and get- • WE HELD A FIRMWIDE EVENT FOLLOWING THE MURDER OF GEORGE Shaheen and his team — specifically ting educated about the issues and Lang, Bazoian and Singer — specialize FLOYD, WHICH GORDON BOBB AND I HOSTED. WE ENCOURAGED CANDID CONVERSATIONS AND GETTING EDUCATED ABOUT THE ISSUES AND gaining insights about how to be part in highly structured financings and of change.” advisory assignments for IP and content GAINING INSIGHTS ABOUT HOW TO BE PART OF CHANGE." -NINA SHAW

Covington congratulates our colleagues Stuart Irvin and Adrian Perry

for being named to Variety’s Dealmaker Impact Report

Covington’s global media and technology practice thrives on the cutting edge of entertainment, advising clients on their most complex and precedent-setting transactions in sports, music, television, gaming, esports, and beyond.

Stuart Irvin Adrian Perry [email protected] [email protected]

© 2020 Covington & Burling LLP. All rights reserved. 12.09.2020 VARIETY ● 87

Marc H. Simon reps clients including “Midsommar” producer B-Reel.

Lawrence Shire Jesse Sisgold Partner, Head of New Media, Motion President, COO Picture, Television, Theater, Publishing & SKYDANCE MEDIA Sports Group • GRUBMAN SHIRE MEISELAS & SACKS In addition to managing day-to-day operations at Skydance, Sisgold runs • Shire reps LeBron James in entertain- point on deal-flow across various devel- ment/endorsements, including his “Unin- opment and production divisions. In 2020, the New York-based Simon cuts deals terrupted” digital platform; Bruce Spring- he oversaw the sales of various, soon- for everyone from and his steen, including docu about the “Letter to-be announced television development El Dorado Pictures to activist and police to You” album; and Facebook for pro- projects to multiple premium outlets, shooting survivor Leon Ford and 8-year- gramming ventures. The New York-based including Apple TV Plus, Showtime and old Nigerian refugee chess champion attorney also advises , Amazon. Additionally, Sisgold was the Tani Adewumi. The rest of his roster is rapper Drake, , iHeart- architect of a significant capital raise similarly diverse, with clients such as Media, producer Scott Rudin, and exec- leading to two new key investment and , former White House photogra- utive employment contracts such as strategic partners, Redbird Capital Part- pher Pete Souza, bestselling author Emily George Cheeks helming CBS Entertain- ners and CJ E&M. The deal raised $275 Marc H. Simon Spivack (“Worn Stories”) and Swedish ment Group. million, bringing Skydance’s approximate Partner; Vice Chair, Entertainment & film producer B-Reel (“Midsommar”). Catalyst for Good: Clients “have the valuation to $2.3 billion. Sports Law Department Pandemic Dealflow: “I can’t say it’s ability and power to negotiate provisions Adapting During Crisis: “Hollywood has FOX ROTHSCHILD back to normal, but there’s a sem- for social good and the betterment of often been labeled as slow to move, but blance of normalcy with respect to the society,” Shire says, such as allocating a because of COVID, it’s gotten quicker at • A former documentary director and pro- work product, which has been buoyed by portion of fees to charitable cause. adapting,” says Sisgold. ducer (“Nursery University,” “Unraveled”), unscripted and podcasts,” he says.

Congratulations to our friend and partner, Alan Epstein, on his inclusion in :EVMIX]ŠW 2020 Dealmakers Impact Report. We applaud all of this year’s honorees.

CA | DC | DE | MD | NY | VA

2049 Century Park East, Suite 2300, Los Angeles, CA Attorney advertising. Shire: Daphne Borowski; Simon: David Michael Howarth; Midsommar: Gabor Kotschy/A24 Daphne Borowski; Shire: 88 ● FOCUS 12.09.2020

Chris Spicer Entertainment Practice Head P. John Burke WE’RE SEEING BUDGETS GO Marissa Román Griffith UP SIGNIFICANTLY BECAUSE PRODUCERS HAVE TO ADDRESS Alissa Miller COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS." Vanessa Roman -MARISSA ROMAN GRIFFITH Partners Sheila Spence AKIN GUMP VP, Corporate Development • Spicer leads the quintet of Los Angeles SPOTIFY lawyers that handled more than $1 billion • Each of five recent acquisitions — the in transactions in the past year, joined tal, One Community, PictureStart, Tal- Gimlet Media, the Ringer and Parcast by Burke, Griffith, Miller and Roman. Cli- ent Intl. and XYZ Films. In a sign of the content studios, plus Anchor and Mega- ents include the American Coalition for times, “we’re seeing budgets go up sig- phone, which specialize in production Independent Content Production (ACICP) nificantly because producers have to tools and monetization, respectively — seeking COVID-19 financial relief from address COVID-19 safety protocols,” complements the others. “It’s the holis- government; and separately MUFG Union says Griffith. Delays and shutdowns risk tic view of these businesses together, Bank, including for a $60 million senior corona budget overruns. combined with Spotify’s platform, that secured revolving credit facility for a film Switcheroo: Movies that can’t achieve are going to allow us to significantly distributor and a €100 million ($119.6 mil- theatrical release amid the pandemic accelerate and grow the podcast indus- lion) revolving credit facility for a Euro- shutdown are “pivoting rather quickly try for everybody, in particular cre- pean borrower. The five also advise Bank to either streaming or premium VOD ators,” Spence says. In addition, Spotify of America, City National Bank, Comerica release,” but can then face side issues launched Joe Rogan’s popular podcast Bank, East West Bank, J.P. Morgan Chase that dealmakers resolve, Roman says. in September. and SunTrust Bank. Other clients include For example, foreign contracts may Strategic Vision: “We’ve accomplished Aperture Media Partners, Content Part- have specified a North American theat- a ton at Spotify, becoming the world’s ners, Narrative Capital, Image Nation Abu rical release; also, streaming deals for first leading audio network,” says Spence. Dhabi and Shamrock Entertainment Cap- all rights may disappoint investors and “M&A has been a critical part of it, and ital as well as producers Demarest Media, talent hoping for bonuses from tradi- I’m so proud of that.” Endeavor Content, Media Rights Capi- tional sequential distribution.

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first of Hollywood’s “big three” to end their stalemate with the guild that had forced film and TV writers to fire their agents in April 2019. The agreement brought UTA’s writer clients back to the agency. In the negotiations, UTA rejected the WGA’s requirement that it disclose financial details of its writer deals, argu- ing that this violated the agency’s fidu- Matthew Syrkin Karen Tatevosian ciary duty to its clients. However, it did Global Chair, Entertainment & Media EVP, Head of U.S. Business Affairs cede to the guild’s primary demand that Group it stop inserting packaging fees into HUGHES HUBBARD deals, but with two major caveats: it • Sony delivers to linear networks and would have two years to phase out the • Syrkin works with clients such as Bum- streamers alike, but Tatevosian says her practice and it would only go into effect ble, Roku, AMC Networks, Sony Music favorite deal of the year was the one that if another major agency also signed Entertainment, the Madison Square Gar- moved “” from YouTube to Net- Jay Sures on to the deal (as ICM Partners subse- den Co. (New York Knicks and Rangers) flix. She also handled film-based series “A Co-President & Board Member quently did in August). UTA also agreed and ViacomCBS. Direct-to-consumer League of Their Own” and “I Know What Rich Shuter to cap its ownership interest in produc- platforms and digital content are seeing You Did Last Summer”— plus a spin-off Partner & Head of Television tion companies at 20%. a tremendous surge in business, he says, of “The Boys” — to Amazon and an ani- Business Affairs Talk of the Town: “The most import- and COVID-19 acted as an accelerant in mated version of “Good Times” to Netflix. Michael Sinclair ant thing to us throughout these nego- terms of media disruption. In 2020, he People’s Choice: “People clearly watch tiations was to keep a dialogue going — represented WarnerMedia in the upcom- TV in a different way now,” says Tatev- Partner & General Counsel Seth Oster that we owed that to writers and it would ing launch of HBO Max in its first interna- osian. “When a show is incredible, audi- ultimately lead to a compromise solu- tional territory, Latin America, while han- ences gravitate to wherever it is. They Partner & Global Chief Communications tion,” says Sures. “So we focused on dling digital subscription, e-commerce, want to see their show when they want to Officer ensuring the fire always remained on and OTT pacts for HBO in the region. see it, on the platform they want to see UTA simmer and never went out, and when Corona Immunity: As his practice is it, at the time they want to see it. Certain formal talks broke off at different points technology-dominated, Syrkin says, “our shows are still watched linearly — we • The UTA team hammered out a deal with we pushed backchannel conversations.” firm hasn’t really been affected by the see that with audiences flocking to ‘The the WGA in July, making the agency the effects of COVID-19. Good Doctor’ on ABC.” Sures, Shuter: Alex J. Berliner/ABImages Sures, 90 ● FOCUS 12.09.2020

porate; Petretti and Wallis delve into Miramax; NBCUniversal and Warners for financing. Century City-based Thompson force majeure/return to work strategies; advises /Dany Garcia and, separately, . Tobey and on their XFL football acquisition; John- Siegel work Hollywood content trans- son on introducing his Teremana Tequila actions; and Vannini and Monroe han- brand; the launch of producer T-Street; dle corporate mergers and acquisitions. and ’s management Tobey advised Paramount Pictures in in the $4 billion sale to Hasbro. Century a multi-picture co-financing with New City-based Petretti handles JP Morgan, . Siegel represents including its $825 syndicated secured Looped, the video chat platform con- credit facility for Regency Entertainment necting celebs to fans. Vannini handles and also its work for City National Bank. FilmDistrict. Monroe advises the diversi- Chicago-based Wallis handles theatrical fied Friedkin Group, including for a soc- distributor Neon Rated (with Thompson), cer-team transaction. Siegel feels that including its big credit facility. Wallis Hollywood companies will dial back on observes that Hollywood indies are over- their recent competitive, go-it-alone ten- Matthew C. Thompson coming COVID-19’s hard times: “At first Bruce Tobey dencies. “Coming out of the pandemic, Head of Media and Entertainment glance, you would think independent film Chair, Entertainment, Sports, & Media I think there will be a greater appetite Group Firmwide distributors would be decimated due to Corporate Practice for strategic partnerships and coopera- their ties to theatrical exhibition,” Wal- Amy Siegel tion to share some of the new risks and Richard Petretti lis says. “But their business models are costs,” Siegel says. Annie Wallis built on streaming revenues so they Silvia Vannini Consumer Watch: Tobey says under- Partners, Media and Entertainment have been thriving.” Partners, Entertainment, Sports, & Media standing the audience is crucial in Bullish Signals: Thompson finds that Corporate Practice unfolding streaming revolution. “The transactions in today’s dealmaking Sean Monroe media companies are all having to take SIDLEY AUSTIN carry premium prices across enter- Partner, Mergers & Acquisitions Corporate a hard look at reviewing and revamp- • The trio of lawyers represent Raine tainment, indicating buyers are bullish Practice ing their business models as they try to Group launching the Thrill One Sports despite the current COVID-19 malaise. determine what the consumers will pay O’MELVENY & MYERS & Entertainment combining extreme “Not only are we going to turn this cor- for and how much they are willing to pay.” sports outfits. Thompson handles merg- ner, the entertainment industry is going • The Century City-based quartet advised ers and acquisitions as well as cor- to be stronger than ever,” he predicts. ViacomCBS in its 49% acquisition of

Congratulations to our colleague Sean Jefferson for being selected by Variety as a 2020 Dealmakers “Up Next” Honoree.

28 Liberty Street 2029 Century Park East New York, NY Los Angeles, CA (212) 980 0120 (310) 579 9600 www.fkks.com Petretti: Jon Didier; Wallis: Chicago Commercial; Siegel, Vannini: Andrew Zinn/Zinn Photo Zinn/Zinn Andrew Siegel, Vannini: Chicago Commercial; Jon Didier; Wallis: Petretti: 12.09.2020 VARIETY ● 91

Debbie White Susan Williams Frank Zeppieri Vice Chair, Music Industry Group/ Partner; Co-Chair of the Entertainment Lane Hancock Entertainment and Media Finance group Senior VPs and Team Leaders

LOEB & LOEB PAUL HASTINGS CITY NATIONAL BANK

• White represents music publisher Pri- • A Canadian native, Williams specializes • When the pandemic shutdown hit mary Wave for catalog acquisitions; in complex, large-scale entertainment in March, cutting off showbiz income advises K-Pop sensation BTS and its label finance. She recently wrapped up a year streams, this duo stepped in to extend Big Hit Entertainment; and reps influenc- and a half of work on Vine Alternative financial lifelines to the bank’s clients. ers Nessa Barrett and Cannons for music Investments’ $220 million deal giving it a Zeppieri completed more than $100 recording deals. The New York-based 60.15% stake in Paris-based independent million in credit transactions, including a attorney’s other clients include Christina film studio EuropaCorp, which had her nearly $10 million music catalog loan for Aguilera, Duran Duran, Melanie Martinez, balancing the requirements of French and a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Diane Warren, Citibank and Uber. U.S. laws. She’s also been repping lender a seven-figure loan for a model’s lifestyle Streaming Pivot: With touring flattened First Republic Bank in the bankruptcy of company. Hancock secured Paycheck by COVID-19, White says the music indus- the Weinstein Co. Other clients include Protection Program loans valued at $36 try is embracing live-streaming perfor- Bank of America and Comerica Bank. million, saving the jobs of thousands of mances with a caveat. “Fans are tired On Being Dragged Into All Canada-Re- crewmembers and other support staff. of seeing webcam performances from a lated Matters as a Young Lawyer: “Even Counting Changes in the Music Biz: basement or recording studio,” she says. though I’m a graduate of USC and a U.S- Today, “you earn money on every which Advanced technology, higher production trained lawyer, for some reason, they all way music is cut up and diced and value and fan interaction are needed to thought I spoke Canadian,” she says. sliced,” says Hancock. “You even get a Debbie White advises K-Pop sensation BTS and its label Big grow live streaming, she adds. royalty from a ringtone.” Hit Entertainment, among other music clients.

PODCAST FILM DOCUMENTARY SERIES DOCUMENTARY

FILM DOCUMENTARY FILM DOCUMENTARY PODCAST

Bold Stories. Even Bolder Storytellers. BTS: Hong Jang Hyun; White: Gittings Photography; Williams: Long Photography; Zeppieri: Patrick Nugent / Camera 1 Hong Jang Hyun; White: Nugent / Camera Gittings Photography; Patrick Photography; Williams: Long BTS: Zeppieri: 92 ● FOCUS 12.09.2020

Up Next

Jamie Slade Partner

Granderson Des Rochers

• Slade is the youngest partner at the firm. In addition to working in the music division, she started the lucrative fash- ion, branding and lifestyle division, maxi- mizing financial opportunities for clients. Here are some members of the next generation of dealmakers She closed deals for musician J Bal- ● By Nick Clement vin’s collaboration with Air Jordan, which who are ready to take on any new challenges marked the first time that a Latinx art- ist had partnered with the brand. She also made an endorsement deal with Puma and rapper YBA.

Chris Carter Michael S. Isselin Scott Oranburg Director, Original Series Associate, Entertainment & Media Associate director Industry Group Sarah Collins Paul Hastings Manager, Original Series Reed Smith • In addition to representing major Alexander Steinberg Netflix • In 2020, New York-based Isselin actors, writers, musicians, directors, Of Counsel • A seven-year veteran of the Netflix orig- conducted celebrity, beauty and luxury producers, production companies, DLA Piper inal series team, Carter worked across goods deals valued at more than $60 independent studios and financiers the early slate of series for the streamer, million while also completing the lat- across the full spectrum of transac- • In law school, Steinberg was project including “House of Cards” and “Orange est round of negotiations with SAG-AF- tional entertainment matters, Oranburg law associate for ESPN. Before join- Is the New Black,” before overseeing sev- TRA, resulting in a three-year, $3 bil- has strong experience handling com- ing DLA Piper he served as an NFL attor- eral of the company’s highest-profile lion contract that spans the production plex licenses and acquisitions of con- ney, responsible for a broad range of overall talent deals. In 2020, he handled of all commercials using SAG-AFTRA tent by studios, independent produc- media-related transactional and strate- negotiations on Ryan’s Murphy’s “The members through 2022. He also nego- ers, international brands, technology gic matters. Recent accomplishments Politician,” “Ratched,” “Hollywood” and tiated talent endorsement deals for two companies and over-the-top networks. include representing investment firm For “.” Collins joined the Netflix busi- high-profile Super Bowl commercials This past year, Oranburg represented Soccer Ventures on corporate, sponsor- ness affairs department in 2017 and han- featuring and Jason Momoa, the Nelk Boys in the expansion of their ship and media matters while serving as dles a wide array of matters for the young and was the lead attorney on Drake’s YouTube channel to more than 5.6 mil- a team member on advising the Chargers adult/family original series programming More Life Growth Co., the rapper’s $38 lion subscribers and worked with Sarah on all matters related to the NFL team’s division, and is the principal negotiator on million cannabis wellness enterprise. Skibitzke on her deal to showrun the relocation from San Diego to Los Angeles. “Outer Banks” and “Dash & Lily.” HBO Max series “Wahl Street.”

Lindsey Gleitman Sean Jefferson Jason Rejebian Junzi (June) Tan Senior Director, Business and Legal Associate, Entertainment Group Director Associate Affairs Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz ACF Loeb & Loeb • Jefferson represents financiers, pro- • Rejebian has been busy, having • Tan focuses on domestic and interna- • Gleitman has been working at Anony- ducers and production companies. In worked on the recent $100 million sale tional transactions while advising pro- mous Content since 2018 and negotiates 2020, he played a key part in the deal to Netflix of Charlie Brooker and Anna- duction companies, distributors, and underlying rights deals in the area of life for CNN documentary “John Lewis: Good bel Jones’ Broke and Bones, which was investors in all stages of film, TV, digital rights, specifically in connection with the Trouble.” He advised Jeffrey Lurie’s Play/ unique as it marks Netflix’s first acquisi- media and location-based entertainment media-rights division. She specializes in Action Pictures as the lead investor tion of a scripted production company. projects. Her bilingual capabilities have working on acquisition agreements for in the -directed pandemic Rejebian also played an integral part been instrumental in helping numerous established writers, directors and pro- documentary “Totally Under Control,” in the 2019 deal for producers Camila Chinese entertainment clients, including ducers for properties in feature film and and represented Israeli-based produc- Jimenez and Silvana Aguirre’s produc- Tencent, navigate Hollywood dealmak- TV development — both scripted and tion company Keshet Studios on its $1.2 tion company the Immigrant, with Fre- ing. In 2020, she worked with unscripted — and also handles underly- million sale of “Save Yourselves!” to mantle and Bron Ventures, and worked on over a dozen projects, and served as ing rights deals on behalf of the New York Bleecker Street at Sundance. on the sale of nonfiction content pro- outside counsel to Black Label Media Times. Additionally, Gleitman advises ducer Blackfin to eOne. while negotiating development deals for managers and producers on first-look screenwriter Derek Kolstad (“John Wick”).

deals and overall shopping agreements. Gittings Photography 1; Tan: / Camera Lettera Steinberg: Larry Carter: The Headshot Truck; CONGRATULATIONS CHRIS CHATHAM ON YOUR WELL-DESERVED RECOGNITION AS ONE OF THE TOP DEALMAKERS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

FROM ALL YOUR FRIENDS AT THE LAUNCHED LA TEAM

1209 WV Stacked Ads_LAUNCHED LA & WHISTLER.indd 6 12/4/20 5:53 PM ©MichelBrussol-FilmVar W Focus eventgoesdigitalasitshowcasesinsightandexpertsinglobalcontentproduction the opportunity to rethink certain things the opportunitytorethink certainthings in theircountries. that exist forinternationalfilmmakers air Dec.9, discussingtheopportunities in thetwo sessions, whichwillboth France andPoland willbetakingpart discussions. Leadingproducers from the latestinitsseriesofonlinepanel ner Future Proofing theScreen Industries. production arena, running undertheban- at enhancementsthatcanbemadeinthe Variety event —whichisfree toattendandhas edition oftheconference andexhibition 15-17 onlinefrom London.Thesixth tional production show thatrunsDec. by thefolksbehindFocus, theinterna- see whatcanbe the pandemic,many are lookingaheadto to return tofilmingthisyear, inspiteof Trade Show Touts Improvements 94 Streaming Room: TheBigRestart, “The pandemic has given the industry “The pandemichasgiven theindustry Also beingpresented is This positive mindsethasbeenadopted ● FOCUS as itsmediapartner—willlook improv that theywere able simply relieved professionals are TV production national filmand hile someinter- ed inthesector. Variety tlgfocus.com Dec. 15-17 Focus Digital WHAT WEB WHEN ● coronavirus hit. production since has returned to U.K.'s industry learn how the showbiz pros will International TIPSHEET

to Blackpeople. look athow welcoming theindustryis aging director ofCardiff Prods., hewill and inakeynote by Pat Younge, man- crews are woefully lackingindiversity, underrepresented. Most filmandTV industry, especiallyfrom groups thatare and newtalentcanbebrought into the freelancers canupgrade theirskills, ing agencyScreenSkills, willlookathow and theyare given more support,” hesays. with onewhere “theirskillsare nurtured sidered dispensableshouldbereplaced should beinsuchaprecarious situation.” are,” Garcia says. “It's intolerable that they highlighted how vulnerable thosepeople shooting was halted.“Thepandemichas cial supportforweeks onendwhile whom foundthemselves withoutfinan- the predicament offreelancers, many of changes shewould like toseehappen. sector figured outhow torestart, andthe will lookatthelessonslearnedwhile resents headsofdepartmentincrews, one keynote, agentSara Putt,whorep- aging director Jean-Frederic Garcia. In that we tookforgranted,” says Focus man- Another session,ledby Britishtrain- A culture inwhichfreelancers are con- Another sessionwillbededicatedto By Karen Idelson seeking financingsolutions. Producer ducers canthinkmore laterally when company Bankside, willlookathow pro- of financierHead GearFilmsandsales financing. PhilHunt, managingdirector perspective, including acoupleonfilm sions thattake amore international at theBritishFilmCommission. by Samantha Perahia, headofproduction Union will beexamined inasessionled and itsimminentbreak withtheEurope things right.” their example, buttheyare doingmany world andeverybody shouldfollow It's notthattheU.K. isthebestin great supportfrom thegovernment. the pandemic,"Garcia says. "It hashad wants toknow how theU.K. copedwith keen todiscover how thathappened. Professionals from othercountriesare tor isboomingandmadearapid return. Film Commission.Theproduction sec- body Pact, theBritishFilmInstituteand in thecountry, suchastheproducers’ the helpofleadingindustrybodies of theconference hasbeenshapedwith The event alsohasanumberofses- The U.K. isnotwithoutitschallenges, “Most ofour[international]audience Focus isU.K.-based andthecontent

●

By LeoBarraclough during avirtualceremony onDec.14. tion. Thewinnerswill beannounced celebrates excellence inglobalproduc- Makers andShakers Awards, which inclusion ofthefirst-ever editionofthe were from outsidetheU.K. national guests—53%ofthoseregistering befarmore inter-Garcia believes they’ll the show are from theU.K., butthisyear advantage: usually80%ofthevisitorsto get-together.” a “spaceforeverybody tomeet,talkand that liesbehinditsinception:toprovide be virtualthisyear itstaystruetotheidea with aFrench partner. exist forinternationalproducers towork the pandemic,andopportunitiesthat supported theFrench industry during will explain how hisorganization has France’s nationalfilm agencyCNC. He international andEuropean affairsat is MichelPlazanet,deputydirector of ductions asameanstofinancefilms. should bethinkingmore aboutco-pro- workshop thatoutlineswhy producers and consultantIlannGirard willholda Another innovation thisyear isthe The digitalformatdoesofferone Garcia says even thoughtheevent will The event’s otherkeynote speaker 12.09.2020

LOCATION UPDATE: THE BIG RESTART 2

Location: Macao SAR, China Where East Meets West

Meet the fi lming destination with both European charm and Asian infl uences, where cobblestones streets and catholic facades meet lively food vendors and colorful temples.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MACAO VISIT: www.macaotourism.gov.mo FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FILMING IN MACAO VISIT: www.icm.gov.mo/en/FilmLicense

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Film and TV productions around the world install strict COVID safety protocols and adapt to new workflows as the entertainment industry moves back onto soundstages and locations

New Zealand’s Kumeu Film Studios is back in business with Amazon’s “Lord of the Rings” and the “Avatar” sequels. 96 ● LOCATION UPDATE: THE BIG RESTART 2 12.09.2020

Stay Ahead of the Curve

VFX houses were nimble under quarantine and several new ways of working may continue ● By Karen Idelson

ivot.” It’s a mantra and a directive if you want to survive in the entertain- ment industry during a global pandemic. That turn P can mean complex proto- cols including testing on a daily basis while you load onto a set in a very specific way. For visual-effects companies, it’s reimagining a craft that was already primed to create solutions for the rest of the industry. Big-name visual-effects houses had projects in the pipeline when lockdowns started all over the world. The first move for many was to relocate workers off site and out of danger with the right equipment and strengthened security protocols. These changes upped costs for some, but didn’t shut them down. “What happened is on 36-hour notice, we’re all working from home,” says Lon Molnar, co-president of Monsters Aliens Robots Zombies (Marz), a Toronto- based visual- effects house specializ- ing in TV VFX that has done work for “Watchmen,” “The Boys” and Season 2 of “Umbrella Academy.” “There wasn’t that much of a change except that we weren’t all together in the same room, but were still working digitally so we were able to move into a VPN system where everybody can remote into the studio [from] their local machines so they’re familiar with their local machine. The only thing we had to get over was the lagging issues, which we were able to do pretty quickly and it was business as usual. “I’d say the other thing is the fact that, instead of everyone heading into a board room or into a screening room, we’re into these virtual rooms with all of our clocks being synched to one another so you hardly had anyone even a minute late.” Ingenuity Studios, a VFX house with offices in Los Angeles, Vancouver and New York, began to see more requests for set extensions and techniques to keep actors at a safe distance from each other. Short-form entertainment including music videos were also in VFX house Marz steady demand. Prior to the pandemic, counts “The Boys” the studio had developed this part of its among the series business with music videos for Taylor it has worked on as business Swift, Lady Gaga and Billie Eilish. continues to Ingenuity, which has worked on proj- boom for effects ects such as “The Good Lord Bird” and

shingles. “Hellstrom,” focused on creating a safe Jan Thijs/Marz Stargirl: Zoic Studios: The Good Lord Bird: William Gray/Showtime in aboutaweek.” went down itwas relatively easytopivot this modelfor15years andthen whenthis anything like that.We’ve beengoingwith data tobewalked offwithor stolen or from a securitystandpoint,there was no to beindidn’t have alotofpower. And, York andthebuildingsthatwe happened in Vancouver andLosAngelesNew site. It was actuallybecausewe hadoffices wasn’t really forworking remotely off- technology foralmost15years now. It Klippsten. “And we’ve been usingtheir [software and technologies],” says company thatusedTeradici PC-over-IP second orthird medianentertainment they already had. They simplyfoundnewways touse what when thepandemicshutdowns started. tual production were already inplace needed tosuccessfullyshiftmore vir- says many ofthetoolsVFXhouses going tobeinthisforever.” industry. We’re confidentthatwe’re not at Ingenuity. “We’re confident inthis Lebensfeld, owner andVFXsupervisor do sofrom home. during thelockdown andmostchoseto artists abouthow theywanted towork protocols. Execs alsotalked withtheir dividers andcreating social-distancing work attheoffices byinstalling plexiglass environment forthosewhomightwant to 12.09.2020 affected ourfuture plans,” says David “We’re fortunatethatwe were the Saker Klippsten, CTOofZoicStudios, “[The pandemic]hasn’t greatly ing ormore space, knowing they’d be was hightofindless-expensive hous- some artists leftmajorcitieswhere rent from their officesto work from home, once alltherestrictions are relaxed.” something thatwillwork quitewell that balance. Ithinkwe’ve landedon home togetstuff done. Soit’s finding the rest ofthetimeusingat sessions togetheronthosedaysandthen time, doingthosemore collaborative of beinginthestudio, having thatface key dayswhere theycangetthebest What becameapparent was we canget the studiobefore thesecondlockdown. We started todoavery slow return to distanced andthecapacityislimited. ronment where peopleare socially dio. Obviously, envi- it’s aCOVID-safe so we startedtodoareturn tothestu- came outoflockdown here intheU.K. pub andshare ourexperiences.” each other, gofordinnerandtothe MPC inLondon.“We’re alllongingtosee says Tom Reed, headofcharacter labfor in personwithateam. the pandemic—funofcollaborating completely replace whatexisted before as well ascollaborate onprojects, didn’t ferences between co-workers tosocialize anced working week, eventually. We division: “Ithinkwe’ll landonabal- producer forthecompany’s episodic As VFXhouseshave sentpeopleaway Adds ChrisGray, MPC’s executive These techcapabilitiesandvideocon- “It’s nosubstituteforthereal thing,” lockdown. after the COVID workers weresafe made sure its Good Lord Bird,” effects for“The worked onspecial Ingenuity, which at-home mode. shift into a work- had available to tools it already “Stargirl,” used worked on Zoic, which their commutes. work andlifewhentheysave time artists findmore balancebetween costlier city. Thiscouldalsohelpsome try whomightnotwant torelocate toa hiring artists inanotherstate orcoun- tives, VFXhousescanbemore opento a particularcity, stateorcountry. qualifications forincentives thatexist for can be sheltering inplaceforsometime. This When aproject isn’t tiedtoincen- tricky ifastudio needstomeet lines andstretch the schedulestokeep we couldtokindofstretch thedead- arriving anytime soon.So, we didwhat and thatthere wouldn’t newmaterial ing thattheshutdowns hadhappened try andbalancethatflow ofwork, know- such features as"Tenet.” “And we hadto Double Negative, whichhasworked on says Gavin Graham, general managerfor their release datesmuchlaternext year,” through thesummer, now suddenlyhad to getthrough, thatwould bereleased all ofthebigreleasesw thatwe planned movie theater. hoping itsproject willbeshown ina the samechallengeasany company that work onmotionpictures face for COVID-19. Still, VFXcompanies shutdown whensomeonetestspositive gent protocols andtherare production stymied by fre them later.” actors separately and thencombining or even shootingsmallgroups of and thenreplace thebackgrounds them tobeshotwithagreenscreen LED backdrop orjust planningfor tion. So, eitheryou shootthemwithan to shootintimatescenesnotonloca- help withthat,whetherthatisplanning teams.”thinking intermsofsmalleron-set none ofthoseissuescomingdown. You’re in thetraditional style. You’re reliant on buster andeverything needstobeshot trying todothetraditional bigblock- alldifferent. SomeofthemareThey’re people busy. ramping up, thoughoccasionally music videosandcommercials are “it’s abouthaving visual-effects ting intothenext round ofshows. process ofwrapping andwe’re get- pandemic have wrapped orare inthe in play towards thebeginningof where mostoftheprojects thatwere “It’s beenastrugglebecause, ofcourse, Episodic projects andshort-form He notesthatforhiscompany, “We’re now gettingtothestage

quent testing andstrin- VARIETY ● 97 PARTNER CONTENT

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FILMING IN France

FILMING ACTIVITY IN FRANCE and unexpected places. The “Hunger Games: The French domestic industry resumed Mockingjay” found some of its most spectacular production in June and more than 400 fi lms locations in the brutalist architecture of the and series were shot on location since then. Parisian suburbs. The busy streets of Marseilles Several British and American shoots took were chosen by Tom McCarthy as the perfect place in the South of France, French Alps, Paris playground for the upcoming “Stillwater.“ This is and Normandy, as well. Crews, facilities and one of France’s advantages: beautiful and diverse equipment rental companies were busier than locations all within easy reach of one another, ever but even with this high level of activity there off ering the perfect frame for all kinds of stories. was no shortage of resources. INCENTIVE STEPHAN BENDER SAFETY The 30% Tax Rebate is now increased with a INTERIM CEO, FILM FRANCE Safety recommendations were compiled by new 10% VFX bonus. This 10% bonus applies to representatives of the French industry and are VFX-intensive projects with more than €2M ($2.4 Film France is your one- stop shop for all projects followed on all sets throughout France. Facilities million) of VFX-related eligible French expenditure. in France. Our agency and locations are totally open to shootings. Once the $2.4 million threshold is passed, the promotes France for fi lming, Even during the second lockdown, fi lming could 40% tax rebate applies on all of a project’s eligible animation, VFX and post- continue all around France. spends, including live action spends that are not production. Film France also assesses the eligibility VFX-related. This makes it the perfect incentive for of projects for the French The agility of French crews and the inventiveness all producers who want to combine French VFX Tax Rebate for International of producers has helped keep any extra costs talents, skilled crews and high-level locations! Production. Film France is funded by the CNC. as low as possible. The National Center for Cinema (CNC) has set up an online process that 2021 facilitates the entry of foreign fi lm professionals 2021 will defi nitely be busy and exciting! Several into France, even if there are restrictions on travel huge projects are already planning to shoot from their country. In short: France is part of the in France in the next months. The animation With intense global relaunch! industry is running at full speed and is ready to fi lming activity, welcome even more ambitious projects. VFX LOCATIONS vendors are replying to more and more requests optimal working France is home to a wealth of recognizable on exciting projects. For the digital eff ects and iconic fi lm locations, from the streets of industry as well as for the live action production, conditions, Paris to the French Riviera. But France also the new 10% VFX bonus that increases the tax skilled crews off ers fi lmmakers a great number of surprising rebate to 40% is defi nitely a game-changer. and a brand new 10% bonus that increases the tax rebate to 40%, France is ready to enter the “roaring ’21s”!

98 | THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FILMING IN FRANCE

1209 WV PARTNER CONTENT ADVERTORIAL - Film France.indd 2 12/4/20 3:54 PM FRANCE: UP TO 40% TAX REBATE 30% + NEW 10% VFX BONUS Bonus applicable for VFX-intensive projects over $2.4M VFX-related eligible spends. Tax rebate increased to 40% on all eligible expenditures if the bonus is granted.

All about French VFX: www.vfx-france.com

www.filmfrance.net | [email protected] © Iakov Kalinin Iakov ©

Untitled-21 1 12/3/20 4:38 PM PARTNER CONTENT

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE Polish Film Institute

THE POLISH FILM INSTITUTE SUPPORTS WHAT TYPE OF INCENTIVES The Polish Film Institute carries out statutory ARE OFFERED? tasks relating to state policy in the fi eld of The audiovisual production support system, or cinema. Among its other duties, it is responsible incentives, is regulated by the Act on Financial for creating favorable conditions for the Support for Audiovisual Production and off ers development of Polish fi lm production and reimbursement of production costs incurred in international co-productions. The Institute Poland in the amount of 30% of Polish eligible provides subsidies and loans to entities operating expenditures. Funds allocated to support in the fi elds of fi lm production, education and the audiovisual production come directly from the RADOSŁAW promulgation of fi lm culture, the development state budget and are distributed throughout the ŚMIGULSKI of cinemas and the international promotion year until they are depleted. At least 10% of the of Polish fi lms. The good condition of the annual budget is intended to support animated GENERAL DIRECTOR OF THE POLISH FILM Polish cinematography is refl ected in the ever- productions. The system is managed by the INSTITUTE increasing number of Polish productions, the Polish Film Institute. expanding share of Polish fi lms in the market and the growing number of fi lmgoers as well as POLAND INSTITUTES COVID numerous international artistic successes. SAFETY REGULATIONS Poland is a The Ministry of Culture and National Heritage WHY SHOOT IN POLAND provided detailed guidelines for new safety country with Poland is a country with a rich fi lm tradition rules on fi lm sets. It allowed the resumption and a dynamically developing audiovisual of work on fi lm sets, taking into account a rich fi lm market. The unique talents of Polish fi lmmakers sanitary requirements. The decision was tradition and are appreciated and awarded all over the made at a meeting of the Governmental Crisis world. Our country has modern facilities and Management Team. On resuming production, it is a dynamically fi lm infrastructure, and Polish crews are well recommended, among other things, that all team prepared to cooperate with foreign partners. members work in masks, as long as this does not developing Poland off ers a wide variety of landscapes, prevent them from eff ectively performing their audiovisual from sandy beaches in the north to the tasks and duties. It is also recommended to limit mountains in the south, from bustling cities to the number of people on the set to the maximum market. The wild and primeval nature. From 2019, feature, depending on the nature of the shooting day documentary and animated projects made and to arrange the crew in such a way as not to unique talents in Poland can receive a 30% cash rebate on create larger clusters, e.g. by creating zones to of Polish qualifying Polish costs. move around the fi lm set. fi lmmakers are appreciated and awarded all over the world. HEADSHOT PHOTO CREDIT: ANNA GÓRAJSKA; LOCATION PHOTO CREDIT: ©MACIEJBLEDOWSKI_FOTOLIA CREDIT: PHOTO ANNA GÓRAJSKA; LOCATION CREDIT: PHOTO HEADSHOT

100 | THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE POLISH FILM INSTITUTE

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Untitled-10 1 12/4/20 12:56 PM 102 ● LOCATION UPDATE: THE BIG RESTART 2 12.09.2020

Innovative Thinking

Necessity is the mother of invention as productions continue to adapt to COVID protocol ● By Zoe Hewitt

was very ambivalent and Prior to stepping on the set, Dubin ordered allowing production to hone in on the account for the additional hires and work. nervous about working multiple types of goggles from Amazon, to process ahead of time. For example, Gretna, a small town on the during COVID,” says “Fargo” find something that would work over his On “Black-ish” many fittings now take outskirts of New Orleans, now requires camera operator Mitch glasses as a shield. Nothing fit properly, place in an outdoor tented area that Cole productions to have signed consent forms Dubin. He flew to Chicago leading to a compromise that allowed him visits in person, while she handles “Work from a multitude of locals near shooting mid-August to finish two to attach plastic directly to the sides of his Wife” over Zoom. locations. That’s more time and outside episodesI of the series’ new season. “I glasses instead. “I was teasing my actors because I had contact for his team. have to say though, I was a little relieved “It was a strange combination of serious to watch them [change on camera]!” Cole Howard’s focus is also on securing base [once there].” viral infection pandemic with the dangers laughs. How an actor feels in costume camps where crew can just walk to loca- Working on one of the earlier projects to of what that entails, and being as cautious comes out in body language and nuance, tion because moving everyone is a massive go back into production in the U.S., Dubin and aware as possible,” says Dubin. He and that impacts the process; Cole cannot undertaking. He’s been renting full-sized was on set as the industry was hammering notes the practicalities of the job don’t imagine trying to do her job this way if she buses and large vans, but can only fill them out COVID protocols to be adopted across allow for many of the recommended pre- hadn’t known the actors in person first. to half capacity. More modes of transport all productions. They were trying to fig- cautions, including distancing. Unlike Dubin and Cole, who work in means the transportation coordinator ure out work-arounds and other practical Dubin chose to use a remote head constant close proximity to the actors, must hire more drivers as well. ways to ensure crew and cast safety while for shooting when possible in order to Elston Howard is a little more removed Steve Dayan, secretary and treasurer of still delivering the highest-quality work create space, though that wasn't always as a location manager. Working on the Teamsters Local 399 in Los Angeles, under restraints. an option. “Leverage 2.0” in New Orleans, though, confirms a dramatic increase in stu- “It was a bit of a free-for-all,” Dubin Costume designer Michelle Cole was his job brings him into contact with far dio hiring recently, particularly for the says of stepping on a set in August. The back at work in Los Angeles in July, han- more people outside the production’s pro- transportation and location departments. production, however, adhered to what dling her duties on “Black-ish” in person tective COVID-tested bubble. He began A process called permitting allows non- are now considered best-practices and working with a separate team via prepping in June and shooting in August. union crew to work on a production, but guidelines: regular COVID testing, daily Zoom on “Work Wife” to avoid cross-con- The regular testing helps, but “we’re only once all available union members temperature checks and extensive use of tact on the productions. constantly meeting new people every have been dispatched. Dayan has seen PPE, among others. “We did a couple of dry runs,” says “Fargo” started day,” says Howard. “So we’re definitely an increase in those opportunities lately Dubin works with unmasked actors in Cole of the practicing they did before the production in at higher risk.” though he notes it “ebbs and flows.” closer proximity and for longer duration actors came to set. Every department head August with strict Howard has noticed an estimated 25%- Despite the current job opportunities,

than nearly anyone else in production. had to participate and provide feedback, COVID protocols. 35% increase in his department budget to permitted crew must work 30 days in Collection Elizabeth Morris / ©FX Courtesy Everett 12.09.2020 VARIETY ● 103

a year before they’re allowed to become scheduled to begin shooting this month. resumed. The positives reported during As for what may remain in place after full-fledged union members, so their new “They’re doing a great job of cleaning production originated elsewhere, though the pandemic ends, Long notes that office union status isn’t guaranteed. around us,” says Beech of the new proto- without knowing which tests were used, space is expensive in L.A. and it’s entirely Dayan is urging the union’s member- cols. “I was here late the other night and it’s impossible to deduce if they were possible that productions may try to cut ship to stay home over the holidays so they someone came in and sprayed some ‘magic false positives. back on crew and keep as many people don’t bring the virus back to productions. spray’ in my office to keep it sanitized.” By Regulations in Los Angeles — aside from as possible remote in an attempt to save Indeed, pre-employment COVID way of advice, he adds: “Turn your coffee some exceptions including pre-employ- money in the future. tests before crew is allowed to step on cups upside down because that doesn’t ment positives — call for Reel Health to And, while Zoom may benefit some set reflect high positivity rates. taste so great the next day.” disclose when there are three positive tests immensely, including Howard who is Mario Ramirez is the president and Beech has reimagined his department, within a two week-period to the Public frequently scouting locations, in other CEO of Reel Health & Reel Security Corp., with a team that now works remotely and Health Department. This way the orga- instances it hinders the creative process. the largest entertainment security com- consults via regularly scheduled Zoom nization can investigate and ensure the “It’s a little more clinical than I would pany in the industry. After two decades meetings. But, when it comes to producer production isn’t becoming a place where prefer,” Costantino says. in business providing set security domes- sign-offs, he pushes to meet in person COVID is spread. While crew members must decide indi- tically and abroad, Ramirez pivoted with since Zoom technology isn’t conducive “” co-producer and editor vidually what they are comfortable with the coronavirus shut down and brought to the process when details such as paint Tom Costantino is in the early stages of as they get called for work, key questions on health experts, including Dr. Gary color appear different on each screen. production now. He’s been working exclu- to ask will be what types of COVID tests Richwald, a communicable disease expert Camera operator Geoffrey Haley just sively from home and tapping into his Avid are being used and if there are dedicated, and former CDC consultant. wrapped “Red Notice” in Atlanta and is on the lot through secure means. trained and unbiased professionals han- Reel Health has worked on more than now back in Los Angeles to begin “The “Part of the joy [before] was interacting dling protocols. 150 productions since the pandemic Gray Man.” Both are Netflix productions, with everybody and rapidly solving prob- In the meantime, the heightened aware- began, developing safety protocols and a company that multiple crew report has lems,” says Costantino. “And now it’s like, ness helps. “It keeps everyone on their processes with good results. Ramirez gone above and beyond during this time. ‘Oh, can you Zoom at 3?’” toes, frankly,” says Beech. makes two important points about keep- Before shutting down in March, the pro- ing everyone safe: not all masks are help- duction had already added sanitizing sta- ful — pull-down versions such as gaiters tions on set and producers were urging aren’t proven effective — and the type of crew to distance as much as possible; COVID test that’s used matters. during the shutdown, they were paid for “Not all COVID tests are created seven weeks of at-home time. equal,” says Ramirez. “There’s really Before returning to work, crew mem- good use for [rapid tests] in some sce- bers were asked to sign off on an agree- narios, but not in the surveillance test- ment to fully bubble for the remainder of ing we do of healthy individuals.” the project. The production bought out The rapid tests’ accuracy drops their studio lot as well as two hotels and dramatically when testing someone housed everyone — including hotel staff — Part of the joy [before] was interacting with asymptomatic, though they’re helpful in a quarantined bubble. Even commuting when someone’s already showing signs meant having a special QR code scanned everybody and rapidly solving problems. And of illness. Ramirez cites the case with so the production could accurately track President Trump as an example of late travel time and ensure there weren’t any now it’s like, ‘Oh, can you Zoom at 3?’ ” detection with this type of test. deviations from the route. --Tom Costantino “The idea is, even with lab-based PCR Haley, already used to out-of-town testing, you really want the most sensi- jobs, had it easier than the local crew tive test you could possibly get, because who couldn’t see their families for then you’ll catch it, even if somebody nearly three months despite working has a low viral load,” he says. Early only a short drive away. But everyone detection leads to immediate isolation was paid what Haley calls a “nuisance and stopping the spread. premium that wasn’t insignificant.” Reel Health dispenses tests through a Haley, like Dubin, works closely with vetted lab and has developed a notification unmasked actors. To complete his work on application for results. Positive results are the film, he discovered it was necessary to pinged to Ramirez and team so they can wear a dark mask on top of the required — dispense someone to pull the infected and bright white — KN95 model in order crew member off the job without delay. to neutralize the resulting glare onto his It may be disruptive, but they’ve done it face shield. Otherwise, he couldn’t see anyway because that’s the only way to what he was shooting. keep everyone safe. Haley’s steadicam work also means he’s “You have to be prepared for a phone constantly moving. “With these masks, call at any time that you might lose a I’m only getting about 75% of the actual production person,” says producer Chris oxygen to the lungs that I would normally Long (“The Tax Collector”). Grappling get,” he says. “It was physically grueling with the implications of positive tests is at times.” an integral part of the industry these days. While nearly everyone interviewed Long notes an additional unexpected agrees that the masks and protocols can challenge: “You don’t know who you’re be exhausting, there was also a consen- hiring and what their belief systems are.” sus that on set can sometimes feel like Crew members want to work, but not the safest place to be. That said, nearly everyone takes the pandemic seriously. all the people surveyed report having had Production designer Curt Beech is in positive COVID tests reported at work, pre-production in New York on “Only including on “Red Notice.” “Black-ish” costume designer Murders in the Building,” starring Though the announcement that “Red Michelle Cole Steve Martin, Martin Short and Notice” star Dwayne Johnson and his staying safe Gomez, all of whom are considered family had tested positive for COVID on-set as high-risk for COVID because of age or came out while the film was in produc- production on the immunocompromised status. They’re tion, it actually happened before shooting ABC hit continues. PARTNER CONTENT

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FILMING WITH Fresco Film Services

FRESCO HAS UNDOUBTEDLY not only worked just fi ne, they have also shown CONTRIBUTED TO SPAIN’S BEING that it is possible to sustain production timelines. RETURN TO THE BIG SHOOTS RADAR. At the current situation, protection is our priority WHAT ARE THE COMPANY’S MAIN but we are also trying to ensure that this does ACHIEVEMENTS? not mean an imbalance at the environmental We have successfully helped to promote Spain level. In 2018, we created an in-house department and its great local industry and professionals: of environmental sustainability. One of our Every time foreign productions comes, they objectives is to promote the team, suppliers bring fewer crew and hire more staff here. There and customers’ respect for the environment. is not only talent but talent with both experience Sustainability is the only future we can aff ord. and a working spirit, which helps to reduce the PETER WELTER HOW IS YOUR WORK HELPING TO PARTNER/EXECUTIVE costs of creating quality productions. Spanish PRODUCER FRESCO FILM professionals are at the level of the best in the STRENGTHEN SPAIN’S BRAND ON THE world. As part of Profi lm — an association that INTERNATIONAL MARKET? Born in Germany, raised in Spain, Welter co-launched represents Spain’s international shoot-sector We feel like ambassadors of our land. Our fi rst Fresco Film Services in 2006, companies — we have also actively participated objective is to defend our clients’ interests but rapidly building the Málaga- in the eff orts to improve tax incentives in Spain. at the same time we are here to broaden their based company as a key horizons and introduce them to all parts of driver behind the return of big foreign shoots to Spain. COMPETITIVE TAX INCENTIVES HAVE Spain. We also aim to contribute to a sustainable BEEN A LONG-TIME DEMAND OF THE economic development of the rural world, hand- SPANISH INDUSTRY, WHICH LOOKS in-hand with fi lm tourism. In the past, we showed FINALLY SATISFIED. WHAT WOULD BE this works very well. Places such as Molina de Handling THE NEXT CHALLENGE? Aragón, San Juan de Gatzelugatxe and Cáceres The express improvement in May put Spain’s have greater economic possibilities thanks to the shoots across mainland on a 25%-30% tax incentive [45%- tourism generated by their appearance in “Game 50% in the Canary Islands], a very competitive of Thrones.” We are proud to say that, thanks to Spain and rebate compared to the rest of Europe. However, shoots, many rural areas have benefi ted and even Portugal, Fresco we asked the Spanish parliament for more halted depopulation. stability and legal security for local producers, is well-known who are responsible for fi ve years for potential WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU corporation tax claims. It is logical to regularize WORKING ON? for hosting this, as is the case in the rest of Europe. At the We are working on a new Netfl ix series, with Hollywood moment, political parties of diff erent stripes have fi lming beginning in February. There are already agreed with our proposal. several confi rmed big studio projects, whose productions titles we cannot mention. We continue with REGARDING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, our regular clients, companies such as HBO, “Game of HOW IS FRESCO ADAPTING TO THE Sony and Paramount, to whom we owe part of Thrones,” NEW CIRCUMSTANCES? Fresco’s legacy and the support we receive to We have adapted very well, thanks to our promote Spain. Both they and Netfl ix believe in “Terminator: dialogue with both authorities, big studios, Spain’s strong potential as a shooting destination suppliers and technicians, in order to develop and are increasingly committed to carrying out Dark Fate,” secure internal protocols. These protocols have their projects here. “Spider-Man: Far From Home.” It also won the Location Managers Guild International Award three times. PHOTO CREDIT: (C) SAMFILM/WARNER, 2020 (C) SAMFILM/WARNER, CREDIT: PHOTO

104 | THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FILMING WITH FRESCO FILM SERVICES

1209 WV PARTNER CONTENT ADVERTORIAL - Fresco Films SPAIN.indd 2 12/4/20 4:22 PM

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1209 WV fresco film SPAIN - restart.indd 1 12/3/20 4:48 PM PARTNER CONTENT

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FILMING IN Portugal

LOCATIONS: EVERY POSSIBLE with future projects that will streamline the LOCATION WITHIN YOUR REACH skill and talent development and availability, Portugal features a captivating mainland that as well as post- production facilities available takes fi ve hours to travel north to south by at competitive rates. Local crews, with high car; two mesmerizing archipelagos within few technical and artistic quality, are experienced in hours’ reach; and a wide range of landscapes fi lm and TV productions, high-end commercials, that gracefully combine historic heritage with and fl uent in English, as well as Spanish and diverse natural landscape and architectural French. breakthrough constructions. Beaches, castles, churches, gardens, medieval villages, all types COVID-PROOF SHOOTS MANUEL CLARO of landscapes can be found in Portugal, so it’s Following the health authorities’ guidelines possible to replicate a wide range of locations and overall approach to tackle the pandemic, FILM COMMISSIONER AT PORTRUGAL FILM in a small territory. This, combined with almost PFC has launched COVID-19 — Guidelines for COMMISSION 300 days of sunshine per year and low levels of Filming in Portugal, providing information to Executive coordinator precipitation, allow for year-round production guide the production teams on to a safe work of CED Portugal and in extremely inviting conditions. The cultural environment. The protocols and contingency responsible for the MEDIA diversity of the country rooted in century-long plans implemented by our producers have subprogram; executive connections to the whole world, along with resulted in an effi cient control of the virus’ coordinator at MEDIA Desk Portugal; Adviser to the emergent creative hubs that boast both tradition dissemination. Cultural Department of the and innovation, add up to the attractiveness Lisbon City Hall; adviser to factor of several metropolitan areas along the COMPETITIVE INCENTIVE SYSTEM the alderman of culture of the Lisbon City Hall. country. Portugal is considered one of the top Portugal created one of the most competitive three safest countries to live in, with aff ordable incentive systems in Europe: a cash rebate of cost of living and great food — an unavoidable 30% for cinema, TV and VOD, with the minimum visiting card. It is the combination of all these of Qualifi ed Portuguese Production Expenses of natural, historic, contemporary and social €500,000 ($606,587) for fi ction and animation From features that make Portugal one of the A-list and $303,294 for documentaries and post- breathtaking countries to be fi lming in. production, with upfront payments in instalments and a decision within 20 working days. Portugal natural FACILITIES AND CREWS also has co-production treaties with more than Most of the studios in Portugal are available in 60 countries and a scouting program with tailor- landscapes the Lisbon, Porto and Algarve areas, and are made scouting visits, as well as other fi nancing encompassing equipped with the latest technology, in pace programs. the coastline, to man-made wonders that put the country on the map of modern architecture, you cannot miss Portugal’s diverse and alluring locations.

106 | THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FILMING IN PORTUGAL

1209 WV PARTNER CONTENT ADVERTORIAL - Portugal Film Commission.indd 2 12/4/20 3:48 PM Untitled-29 1 12/3/20 5:09 PM

Ilhéu de Vila Franca, Açores © Shootazores/Pepe Brix Up Locations Star Power Lights 108 George Miller isshootinghis“Furiosa,” miniseries “Nine Perfect Strangers.” McCarthy were recently shootingHulu whileKidmanandMelissa and Thunder” preparing toshootMarvel’s “Thor:Love different partsof Australia. Portman is Tom Hanks, are all currently lensingin From Spiderhead”),Joel Edgertonand production highgear. in Australia. Thefilmindustry isbackin normality hasreturned toeveryday life revealing shorts, there isa sensethat stopping Sydney traffic by wearing esque Byron Bay) andNatalie Portman Australia andNewZealandbulkupwithbig-budget Hollywoodshoots (“Gold”), ChrisHemsworth (“Escape Indeed, filmsstarringZacEfron ● LOCATION UPDATE: THE BIG RESTART 2 South Wales’ pictur- Kidman filming(inNew jams causedby Nicole complain abouttraffic hen localnewspapers COVID lockdown. mean littleifthe country isunder locations. But allthoseattributes of experienced crew andtalent-friendly territories thatcontainlarge pools the U.S. dollar, andare English-speaking favorably weak exchange rates against ductions. Bothenjoy currencies with large internationalfilmandTVpro- rarer federal grants, inorder toattract in theformofrebates, andalso through significant financialincentives, mostly now shooting. hiatus. Aslewoflocalmovies isalso both moving againafteracoronavirus “Lord oftheRings”TVseriesare “Avatar” movie franchise andAmazon’s a “” spinoff, for Warner Bros. Zealand isequallybusy. Disney’s Both countriesare known foroffering Neighbor andsometime rival New and Network 10. Bureau ofMagical Things” for Netflix and seasontwo ofchildren’s series“The second seasonof“Five Bedrooms,” Network 10’s “Neighbours” andthe to restart shootinginJune, including But many TVproductions were able even more TVproductions were hit. films were stoppedby theshutdown and duction spending. caused a18%plungeinfull-year pro- 2019-’20 financialyear toJune 2020, where thelostlastthree monthsofthe Report publishedby Screen Australia, can beseenfrom thelatestDrama The resulting impactonfilmandTV rigid self-isolation from March onwards. ment leaderslocked bothcountriesinto Australia andNew Zealand,asgovern- For awhilethatwas thecaseinboth According to thereport, eightfeature the Rings.” Prime’sof “Lord including Amazon all over the world, productions from big-budget beauty draws supernatural New Zealand’s hotels fortwo weeks onarrival. quarantine andhadtohunker down in the high-fliers were notexempted from efits forlocalcrew andbusinesses. But an economicmultipliereffectwithben- ing thatrestarting production creates treatment, withscreen agenciesargu- crew were given priorityimmigration tional productions.” on thatopportunityfortheseinterna- year andworked closely. Particularly, industry really cametogetherthis CEO ofAusfilm. “Government and couple more years,” says KateMarks, for anextended theprogram over a tional A$400 million($300million) to thelocationincentive —anaddi- announced thatadditionalfunding Secondly, thegovernment backinJuly both localandinternational. ance andlockinfuture productions — problem ofobtainingproduction insur- would supportrestarts, overcome the protocols, andtoredeploy financethat were quicktodevelop production on-set due tolingeringinsurance problems. Campbell, Georgina Conder) upnext. Philippa (producers: with “GoingGoing” Whitwell,andNick Batzias), “Nude Emma Tuesday” Slade, (producers: Reikura Kahi, SelinaJoe and Tama Iti) and Catherine Fitzgerald), “Muru” (producers: Robin Murphy and “Punch” (producers: Matthew Metcalf andTainui Stephens), Angela Littlejohn),“Whina”(producers: DesrayLow” (producers: Armstrong and films inproduction include:“Millie Lies “Avatar” and“Power Rangers.” Local “Sweet Tooth,” A24’s “Mr. Corman,” “Cowboy Bebop,” Warner Bros Television’s lensing inNew Zealand includeNetflix’s International productions currently — Patrick Frater a vaccine hasallowed restarts elsewhere. will continuetobeattractive longafter NZFC, suggestingthatNew Zealand ries hasalsoshotup, according tothe enqui- The numberofco-production national travel formostAmericans. necessary by thedifficultiesofinter- production techniquesandmade something madepossibleby digital productions orremote directing — Zealand hasseenariseindelegated virus hasaccelerated innovation. New Film Commission. national attraction attheNew Zealand says PhilippaMossman, headofinter- facilities tobeannouncedinthefuture,” workforce development andexpanding New Zealandproductions, andwith buoyant withbothinternationaland next sixtoninemonthsislookingbe Australia for“Elvis”). Australia”) andTom Hanks (entering Australia for“Celebrity Apprentice for “Avatar”), AlanSugar(entering Jon Landau(enteringNew Zealand arrangements forJames Cameron and meant aggressive mediascrutiny ofthe manage thevirusandkept caseslow. first isthatwe've continuedtoreally matched immediatelyinfilm,part The localsenseoffairplayallround Significantly too, key overseas cast and “Two majorthingshappened.The But governments inbothcountries TV’s V-shaped recovery was not The obstaclesthrown upby the It appearstobepayingoff. “The 12.09.2020

Amazon Studios 12.09.2020 VARIETY ● 109 Germany Sees Production Boom

Despite virus surge, filming continues under strict protocols Greek Rebate espite a second lockdown Domestic production shoots are “Everybody managed the extremely in November due to the also up as companies catch up on steep learning curve very well and Draws Shoots rise in coronavirus cases, delayed projects. we’ve been lucky and blessed to have shooting continues around “We’re producing at full speed,” says had a relatively smooth production the country, both in studios Bavaria Fiction managing director Jan experience throughout the year with and on location. Warners’ “Matrix 4,” S. Kaiser. “We are likely to carry out very few corona-induced hiccups.” Sony’s “Uncharted,” Apple TV Plus’ most of the productions planned for Real Film’s latest production was “Foundation” and the Netflix pic 2020 thanks to all parties involved com- entirely shot on location, as were most Strict protocols keep sets safe “Munich” are among the big interna- plying with the hygiene rules with the of its productions this year. tional productions that have recently utmost discipline.” “We had to halt one of our earlier pro- and productions rolling shot in Germany. Bavaria Fiction initially limited its ductions in March, which we continued At Studio Babelsberg, “Matrix 4” and productions to studio shoots, but that shooting right out of the lockdown at the hough a rising number of “Uncharted” recently wrapped after gradually changed. “Now the ratio beginning of May,” Kamm adds. “Two COVID-19 cases pushed being initially shut down in March. “We between shooting on-location and more features had to be postponed, one Greece into its second lock- are happy that we were able to carry in-studio is more or less the same as only by a couple of weeks, the other one down on Nov. 7, production out both productions without any major it was before COVID-19,” Kaiser says. for a couple of months due to scheduling has continued apace since incidents in the very difficult period “However, we still limit traveling and issues. But we are lucky that none of the early summer, with the government after the lockdown and that every- the number of locations as much as productions planned for this year had putting its weight behind measures thing went wonderfully,” says Studio possible whilst maintaining high pro- to be cancelled.” to ensure cameras continue to roll Babelsberg COO Christoph Fisser. duction values.” Some major companies continued on film and television shoots despite Peter Dinges, CEO of the German For Studio Hamburg subsidiary Real in-studio productions during the initial the pandemic. Federal Film Board (FFA), adds that Film Berlin, Nov. 20 marked the last day lockdown after developing and imple- Principal photography on the Woody “Matrix 4,” in particular, was “an abso- of shooting on its seventh and final pro- menting health protection measures and Harrelson-starring “Triangle of Sadness,” lutely major project for us, and the fact duction of 2020, the ZDF movie “Nach tweaking scripts, particularly on daily directed by Ruben Östlund, wrapped that everything went according to plan eigenem Gesetz,” starring Nadja Uhl . series, to ensure that actors remain at Nov. 13, even after cinemas, bars, restau- shows that we have the virus compara- “Amidst all the uncertainty and mad- least 1.5 meters apart. That was the case rants and most non-essential businesses tively well under control in Germany.” ness I’m really proud of the team here at entertainment giant UFA with its hit had shuttered across this Mediterranean Dinges notes that contrary to expec- at Real Film Berlin and thankful to all daily soaps including “Good Times, nation. “The Lost Daughter,” an upcom- tations, the number of productions the people we’ve worked with,” says Bad Times,” which shoots at Studio ing adaptation of the Elena Ferrante in Germany has not declined. “After managing director Henning Kamm. Babelsberg. – Ed Meza novel, written and directed by Maggie initially seeing an increase in the Gyllenhaal and starring number of applications in the spring, and , wrapped just it has now returned to the level of days earlier. Ruben Östlund in 2019,” he says. “The efficiency and responsibility with Greece directing For Berlin-based film services which Greek production companies, like firm Bloc Inc. Filmservice, business starrer “Triangle Faliro House and Heretic, serviced these is booming. The company, which pro- of Sadness.” demanding productions during the pan- vides a wide range of logistical services, demic proves that Greece offers highly from street closures to equipment skilled Greek film professionals capable and trailer rentals, saw revenue drop of working on all types of audiovisual 100% from mid-March through the end works,” says Venia Vergou of the Hellenic of June, according to managing director Film Commission. Folker Greisner. Since July, however, The film commission and the Ministry business has picked up. The com- of Culture have worked together to intro- pany provided services for “Matrix 4” duce strict coronavirus protocols for all and “Uncharted” and a number of film and TV shoots, while the Greek gov- other international and domestic pro- ernment over the summer raised the cash ductions in Berlin. rebate from 35% to 40%. A new 30% tax “In August and September, the book- relief for incoming film and TV produc- ing situation was comparable to 2019; in tions has also been finalized, and can be October and November it’s so far been used in combination with the rebate. better than 2019,” Greisner says. Vergou says such measures will help There are no restrictions for interna- the local industry bounce back in 2021. tional productions as long as they are “Policymakers and the authorities in in compliance with infection-control Greece have realized the important regulations, Dinges adds. A number of impact of the audiovisual works on eco- international projects are set to shoot in nomic recovery from COVID-19,” she says. Germany in the coming months. A can-do attitude prevails. Vergou Kirsten Niehuus, managing director points to the cooperation between the of Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, industry and local authorities for the says she’s looking forward to the upcom- recent shoot of an ambitious Perrier ad ing shoots of Pablo Larraín’s Princess Netflix’s “Munich,” campaign, directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga Diana biopic “Spencer” and his Apple starring Jeremy with Oscar-nominated DP Phedon Irons, is one of TV Plus Stephen King series “Lisey’s Papamichael, which she describes as "one the big-budget Story” (known here under its working international of the biggest recent shoots in Greece." title, “Faces”). She also notes that Liam productions to “Even in these unprecedented times, Neeson starrer “Retribution” is set to shoot in Germany Greece is growing as a unique filming Christopher Vourlias Munich: Netflix shoot in Berlin in 2021. recently. destination.” – PARTNER CONTENT

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FILMING IN Greece

PRODUCTION RESTART AND period.” ’s “The Lost Daughter,” COVID-19 PROTOCOLS an adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s novel starring Having coped with the pandemic effi ciently, Olivia Colman, Dakota Johnson and Paul Mescal, gaining praise worldwide for the collaboration was initially planned for a North American shoot among government, health experts and citizens, but moved to Greece (island of Spetses) after the Greece was among the fi rst European countries pandemic and wrapped fi lming in autumn 2020. to resume fi lming in June 2020 with Nana Other productions: ’s Neul’s “Daughters,” a German-Italian-Greek “Greed” (Sony Pictures, Film4), Ferdinando Cito co-production that was shot on the Cycladic Filomarino’s “Born to Be Murdered” (Netfl ix) and island of Amorgos. Even when the country Daniel Syrkin’s “Tehran” (Apple TV Plus). VENIA VERGOU entered a second lockdown in November, fi lming DIRECTOR OF THE continued under the provision that crews follow LOCATION DIVERSITY AND HIGHLY HELLENIC FILM the Updated Guidelines for Safe Film Shoots & QUALIFIED CREWS COMMISSION AT THE Sound Recordings issued by the Hellenic Ministry Antiquities of incredible cultural heritage, GREEK FILM CENTRE of Culture and Sports. For more information iconic islands, underwater caves, forests, olive please visit https://www.fi lmcommission.gr/ groves, gorges, snow-capped mountains — even hfcnews/covid-19-updated-guidelines-for-safe- volcanoes — can be found in Greece, where fi lm-shoots-sound-recordings/. diverse locations can stand in for other countries in the world (Athens doubled for Tehran for TV INCENTIVES/CO-PRODUCTIONS series “Tehran”). Greek crews speak perfect Greece now off ers a 40% cash rebate, increased English and have the expertise to collaborate from 35% in summer 2020, supporting feature fl awlessly with international productions. fi lms (minimum amount of eligible expenses From outstanding drone operators and post- €100,000 ($121,000)), documentaries and production facilities equipped with high-end short fi lms (minimum $72,790), TV series industry technologies to world-class VFX artists (minimum $18,197-$30,329 per episode) and servicing demanding projects, the Greek Industry digital games (minimum $36,395). Projects are Guide provides dream teams. STATHIS fi nanced without a cap. A cultural test applies. KALOGEROPOULOS The cash rebate is administered by EKOME S.A.. FILMING IN ATHENS AND ATHENS DIRECTOR, CITY OF International projects with minor Greek co- FILM OFFICE SERVICES ATHENS FILM OFFICE producers can also benefi t from the selective Athens, the business center of Greece, is also minority co-production funding by the Greek home to almost all of the fi lm and TV production Film Centre. For more information please visit companies in the country. The highly experienced Boasting a fi lmcommission.gr and gfc.gr. crews and the professionalism of the service 40% cash rebate, providers will ensure a streamlined production. RECENT INTERNATIONAL Athens is also the place to be in order to enjoy COVID-19 safety PRODUCTIONS antiquities and its renowned local cuisine. Newly Ruben Östlund’s “Triangle of Sadness”, starring established Athens Film Offi ce acts proactively guidelines, Woody Harrelson, is one of the most recent large off ering location scouting services, assistance qualifi ed productions fi lming in Greece (on the island of with fi lm permits and exclusive tours with local Evia and the Peloponnese) in autumn 2020 with cultural venues. For more information please visit English-speaking Östlund describing it as “a fantastic shooting athensfi lmoffi ce.com. crews, its renowned Mediterranean climate and Greek light, Greece off ers more than just its heaven- like diverse

locations. ACROPOLIS, ATHENS LOCATION PHOTO CREDIT: THOMAS GRAVANIS CREDIT: PHOTO LOCATION

110 | THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FILMING IN GREECE

1209 WV PARTNER CONTENT ADVERTORIAL - Greece REV.indd 2 12/8/20 10:28 AM Untitled-24 1 12/3/20 4:50 PM PARTNER CONTENT

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FILMING IN Barcelona and Catalonia

THOUSANDS OF LOCATIONS TO safe guidelines published in agreement with SUIT ALL KINDS OF STORIES producers’ associations. Film and TV shoots were Catalonia is situated in the northeast of Spain. protected as a professional activity and allowed To the north, a 350km mountain range marks to carry on despite restrictions. By November, the border with France. To the east, 580 km of 35 feature fi lms, feature documentaries and TV Mediterranean coast with long sandy beaches, series had shot or were shooting in Catalonia. virgin coves, small fi shing villages and big “The Path” (Tobias Wiemann), a German- commercial ports. Inland, manufacturing cities Catalan co-production, and ’ and old medieval towns boast industrial and “Uncharted” (Ruben Fleischer), starring Tom cultural heritage alongside dense forests and Holland and , were safely shot CARLOTA green hills. Barcelona is Catalonia’s capital city, during the pandemic following strict COVID GUERRERO a safe and welcoming urban enclave off ering protocols. “” (S6), “Hanna” (S2), all sorts of locations, ranging from Roman “Killing Eve” (S3) or “Westworld” (S3) successfully MANAGER, CATALUNYA FILM COMMISSION archaeological remains to contemporary 21st shot in the region. Other productions for Netfl ix century architectural designs. and Movistar Plus are soon to be released. Coordinates a network of over 200 fi lm-friendly towns ready to host all types of INDUSTRY AND CREW 30% TAX REBATE FOR productions. The fi lm commissions of Barcelona and INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTIONS / Catalonia are the fi rst contact point for incoming MINORITY COPRODUCTION FUND productions. They provide guidance on accessing Foreign fi lm and TV productions can access a 30% funds and act as a link to the local audio-visual tax deduction of the fi rst million euros (25% on the infrastructure and authorities, registering around excess of said amount) with a maximum rebate 4,000 productions per year. limit of €10 million ($12.1 million). A minority We are home to fi rst-class audio-visual coproduction fund is available in Catalonia. It can professionals and companies. Multilingual reach up to $363,952 for feature fi lms where creative, crews used to working in the most time- and technical and artistic participation is assessed. cost-eff ective ways, combined with a passion for fi lmmaking, a commitment to work at the WHAT’S NEXT? highest possible quality standards and renowned Barcelona and Catalonia are open for COVID- hospitality have made our territory a favorite safe fi lm business with soon-to-be-launched CARME MELÚS destination for myriad projects. sustainability protocols. International BARCELONA professionals may need to certify they are taking CITY COUNCIL, SHOOTING DURING THE COVID-19 part in a production to apply for their visa and BARCELONA FILM PANDEMIC AND RECENT PRODUCTIONS COMMISSION other regulations when entering Spain may also The fast response to COVID-19 facilitated the apply. Contact us for updated information. Coordinates fi lming needs within the city of Barcelona. continuity of production by means of the We’re looking forward to welcoming you!!

A well-known production hub on the Mediterranean off ering a wide of variety of locations, experienced crews and a 30% tax rebate for international productions. PHOTO CREDIT: ©WARNER BROS. ENT. 2020 ©WARNER ENT. BROS. CREDIT: PHOTO

112 | THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FILMING IN BARCELONA AND CATALONIA

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Catalan Institute for Cultural catalunyafilmcommission.cat Companies icec.gencat.cat

Untitled-22 1 12/4/20 5:38 PM PARTNER CONTENT

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FILMING AT Atlantic Production Center

THE ATLANTIC PRODUCTION CENTER without incident and can assist your production OFFERS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE with implementing safety procedures including Located one block from Central Park’s southeast zone designation, crew ingress/egress, one- corner in midtown Manhattan, the Atlantic way directional traffi c fl ows and staging area Production Center off ers 10 fl oors of versatile protocols for all departments. offi ce space — ranging from 25,000 to 40,000 square-feet each — for use as either fi lming HERE ARE THE BEST REASONS TO location or production offi ce space. We have SHOOT AT APC private offi ces, bullpens, conference rooms, At the APC we off er fl exibility, convenience, huge spaces for holding talent, hair/makeup extensive production knowledge and experience, AMANDA rooms, catering space and green rooms. The and an abundance of space available for both WEISENTHAL spaces come with high-speed Wi-Fi and plenty shoots and production offi ce space, all in the of support space, all within a 24/7 fi lm-friendly heart of midtown Manhattan. VP OF OPERATIONS building. Many of our offi ces have midtown and We can anticipate and are sympathetic to the Central Park views, and several of our fl oors needs of productions in a way that is unique have setbacks for convenient lighting positions. among commercial offi ce buildings in Manhattan. Our lobby and the exterior of the building are We understand the pace of production and work The APC is a both available for shoots without the usual quickly to streamline the scouting and rental NYC Production constraints that productions often experience process, including the accommodation of last- when trying to fi lm in active commercial offi ce minute requests. And, particularly important in Center, managed buildings in New York City. today’s climate, we have enough space and the We have a highly experienced staff of fi lm relevant experience to safely host your shoot by seasoned fi lm industry professionals who come from and assist with any COVID-related concerns that professionals, production backgrounds and are dedicated to may arise. servicing the needs of your crew and production. and includes HERE’S WHAT MAKES APC SPECIAL OUR COVID SAFETY PROTOCOLS With 10 fl oors of offi ce space available, the APC locations scouts, ARE RIGOROUS off ers a diverse range of aesthetic options, art coordinators At the APC, we enforce rigorous COVID department-friendly spaces and room to build protocols to ensure safety and wellness. This multiple sets — similar to the fl exibility you would and producers. includes screening with passive thermal imaging, experience at a dedicated stage. Our production daily cleaning staff in compliance with CDC and offi ces off er enough space to create a safe work DOH, and a MERV 13 air fi ltration system on all environment, turnkey solutions for furniture, fl oors. All of our protocols and procedures meet wi-fi and phone systems, and a dedicated and or exceed the guidance and regulations put in responsive staff . place by the state of New York, the New York Our goal is to provide a turnkey solution to which City mayor’s offi ce, IATSE and SAG. productions will return time and time again for Since fi lming resumed in the city we have their on-location shoots as well as support and hosted several productions safely, effi ciently and offi ce space.

114 | THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FILMING AT ATLANTIC PRODUCTION CENTER

1209 WV PARTNER CONTENT ADVERTORIAL - Atlantic Production Center.indd 2 12/4/20 4:05 PM

Above andBeyond Producers Go 116 to setupcampnext year. tial U.S. studioproductions are expected famed facilities, where several substan- resources aspartofarevamp ofthe and tobringinmillionsofeuros innew backlot spaceatRome’s CinecittàStudios costs andriskscausedby coronavirus. main tooltocombattheriseineconomic still attractive). Thetaxrebate isItaly’s rebate remains capped30%,whichis tional productions, Italy’s cash-back local production’s budget(forinterna- incentive’s capfrom 30%to40%ofa $652 millionfor2021whileraising the from €400 million($474 million)to resources tofundtheItalian taxrebate of cashtosupportproduction, upping has justtrumpetedafresh injection protocols andgovernment incentives. healthy pacethankstoefficientsafety measures andItalogovernment-infusedsupport Shooting continuesunderheightenedon-setsafety halt temporarily after sustainingat 25, thoughatonepointtheyhadto try went onsemi-lockdown onOct. Cameras didnotstop whenthecoun- eral weeks inOctoberandNovember. Impossible 7”shotinItaly forsev- announced planstodoubleavailable Meanwhile, Paramount’s “Mission: The Italian culture czarhasalso Culture minister Dario Franceschini tion chuggingalongatarelatively wave well withfilmandTVproduc- demic, isweathering thesecond hit hardest by thecoronavirus pan- taly, theEuropean countryinitially ● LOCATION UPDATE: THE BIGRESTART 2 Cinema onboard. company, withpubcaster RAI’s RAI Lotus Production, aLeoneFilmGroup duced by Italy’s Marco Belardi viahis Ferragni —Unposted”). Picisbeingpro- — directed by ElisaAmoruso(“Chiara Mascolo —whoisherreal lifefiancè Thorne withItalian popstarBenjamin romancer “TimeIs Up,” pairingBella ing inRome onEnglish-languageteen mid-November cameras startedroll- shying away from shootinginItaly. In prep, butcouldnotbedrawn ontitles. others fornext year, oneofwhichisin picture lineduptostart soonandthree APE, sayshehasanotherinternational ent work groups. that create safetylayers” within differ- protocols andis“working inbubbles went aheadinaccordance withItaly’s that the“Mission: Impossible7”shoot producer Marco Valerio Pugininotes waterways. on Venice’s Grand Canalandsmaller in between acrobatic scenesfilmed a blackfacemaskwhiletakingbreak ted by paparazzi inNovember wearing by sources. Star Tom Cruisewas spot- according toItalian reports confirmed least ado Italy’s lineproducers’ organization Panorama Filmsandisalsochiefof Other topU.S. talentsare alsonot Pugini, whoheadsRome-based The U.S. blockbuster’s Italian line zen corona virus casesonset,

is adoptingmore stringentmeasures than teens contendingwithcompromising production, ananthologydrama about “Nudes,” Wild BunchTV’s first Italian semi-lockdown, shootingkicked offon and Monika Bacardi, isproducing. ated by Italian producer Andrea Iervolino Entertainment, whichisowned andoper- tal disorder hedoesn’t have. Iervolino is forced totake medicationforamen- man trapped inan institutionwhere he Minds”) itstars EmileHirschasayoung by U.S. director Marcus Stokes (“Criminal thriller “State ofConsciousness.” Helmed Southern Apulia region onpsychological underway in theportcityofBari inthe notes. lots ofothercivilianlifesituations,” he “being onsetisactuallymore secure than government would haltproduction, since even inthatcase, Russo doesn'tthinkthe country couldgoontotallockdown. But ducer Riccardo Russo. instead oftherequisite one, sayspro- everyone doingtwo swab tests aweek local production protocols require, with Flower”) nearBolognaincentral Italy. directed by Laura Luchetti (“Twin Italian unitBimProduzione, isbeing The show, produced by Wild Bunch's photos ofthemselves onsocialmedia. And just asthecountrywent into Earlier inNovember shootinggot Of coursethere isalways ariskthe As withothersetsacross Italy, “Nudes” – Nick Vivarelli its shoot. waterways for used Malta’s thriller “Jetski” Survival and 40%rebate Shoots returnforlocations Cash-Back Plan Malta Raises on set inItaly. between takes masks up star TomCruise Impossible 7” “Mission: — Christopher Vourlias times, andwe’re notthrough yet.” ductions off-track. Theseare very testing that canreally throw alltheother pro- takes isafewmishaps duetocarelessness industry istoremain vigilant,because allit to go”in2021.“What’s importantforthe a lotofproductions inthewings, ready was widespread, Sansone says, “there’s a springshutdown. ment forindustry personnelaffected by wheel turning,” includingawage supple- “did whattheycouldinorder tokeep the government restart toapro-business that Asimov bookseriesofthesamename. Apple TVPlusseries basedontheIsaac Altitude FilmSales, and“Foundation,” an by James Nunn andrepped globallyby ing thesurvival thriller“Jetski,” directed for thelocalindustry, whichisalsohost- and “Game ofThrones.” productions suchas“Gladiator,” “Troy” tings thathave beenusedasbackdrops for tanks andoffersa range ofhistoricalset- try boastsoneoftheworld’s largest water most competitive inEurope. Thecoun- from 27%to40%,makingitamongthe at fullcapacity.” a very goodsign,” hesays. “We’re almost Mediterranean nationby year’s end. vision shootswillhave lensedinthesmall that nearly10internationalfilmandtele- of theMalta Producers’ Assn.,estimates production sector, SimonSansone, head August forthe$200 milliontentpole. demic, itssecondunitcrew filmedin the beginningofcoronavirus pan- studio filmstoresume production since of Malta. OneofthefirstmajorHollywood restart was aboonfortheislandnation While the pain caused by the pandemic While thepaincausedby thepandemic Sansone gives credit forthesuccessful “Dominion” kicked offabusyperiod Last year Malta raised itscashrebate “Having thatnumberofproductions is Despite aspringshutdown forthelocal World: Dominion,” the Universal’s “Jurassic the summeron began toroll over hen thecameras again 12.09.2020

Mission Impossible: AP The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: Philippe Antonello/Amazon Studios ; Good Girls: Josh Stringer/NBC and IndieFilmShoots New YorkMore TV Hosts is located. a handful.It’s notalot.” independent filmmakers, andit’s [just] we’ve hadsofarhasbeensmall-budget, Film Commission.“Butthestuffthat says TimClark,headoftheBuffalo takingthe‘go-slow’ approach,”they’re ning ofnext year. are inpre-production untilthebegin- including “TheMarvelous Mrs. Maisel.” ongoing productions. Biggerprojects. projects makingupalarge portionof during thepandemichave ledtosmall up, increased costsofsafely filming the studioislocatedin. on productions based onwhatcolorarea lowest, different arerestrictions placed based onhighest rates andyellow the based oninfectionrates. With red being red, orange oryellow colorstolocations a three-tier rating systemthatassigns could recommence. ensure filmandtelevisionproductions has implementedvarious measures to since June 12. and “Macbeth,” have resumed production and “Good Girls”andfilms“KingRichard” series “TheOrville,” “Animal Kingdom” its won’t beaffected. Ten, includingTV that theirstatusforreceiving taxcred- gram requested force majeure, meaning the CaliforniafilmandTVtaxcredit pro- safety onsetduringtheongoingpandemic. Department ofPublicHealth toprioritize including ErieCounty, where Buffalo credit isavailable incertaincounties, production costs. An additional10% duction companiescredit for25%of state. Theprogram gives eligiblepro- creation offilmsandshows inthe tax credit program incentivizing the in New York canstillbenefitfrom a that are gettingready togearup, but Upstate seesinfluxofproductions California Gets Back onSet 12.09.2020 been working closelywiththestate’s Production isboomingbutwithincreasedsafetyprotocols But thosehopingtofilmaproject “We have acoupleofstudiofilms Though production hasopenedback In October, thestateimplemented In March, allapproved projects under safely reopen, New York state this year. Asithasworked to outbreak intheU.S. earlier coronavirusfirst wide-scale ew York Cityexperienced the Film Commission.Shehas Bell, director oftheCalifornia slow andsteady, saysColleen though recovery hasbeen ollywood isbackinaction, number of individuals who tested positive number ofindividualswhotestedpositive that foundoutthere’s asignificant protocols. “There have beenproductions tions isthecosttocomplywithCOVID and talents. the updatedschedulesoffacilityspaces under tightertimelinestoaccommodate rupted by thepandemicare still working Santa Clarita,projects thathadbeendis- the recent expansion ofsoundstages in taries andfeature films. Buteven with series, aswell asindiemovies, documen- tion staffhad returned tosetsofseven TV mid-November, more than1,500produc- faced by smallerindependentproduc- so we didtake abig influxofinquiries.” or otherupstatecities was theway togo, “They thoughtthat going uptoBuffalo in avery denseNew York City,” Clarksays. were alotoffilmsthatdidn’t want toshoot was allowed againinNew York state, there over COVID-19. been stifled, atleast inpart,by worries desires toshootinthefamouscityhave amount ofpeople, Clarksaysfilmmakers’ According toBell,anotherchallenge When Bellvisitedaproduction sitein “What we’ve foundisthatoncefilming Given New York City’s relatively dense uniformity thatwe’ve never seenbefore.” She notesanewspiritofcollaboration and tions, willstay inplaceafterthepandemic. work hoursandimp ments tolifeonset,namelythelimited back infullswing.” our prioritylisttogetthismajorbusiness duction infrastructure, becauseit’s upon “prepared tohandlethedemandforpro- coronavirus cases, BellsaysCaliforniais to monitorthefluctuatingnumberof to pauseproduction,” shesays. going tobeeasierandmore cost-effective on setandultimatelydecidedthatit’s just — Eli Countryman and oncitystreets. backinshooting formonset II: Ghost” “City onaHill”;andStarz’s “Power Book “Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”; Showtime’s “New Amsterdam”; AmazonPrime’s NBC’s“The Equalizer”; and “Manifest” veteran “BlueBloods,” andnewseries York CityisseeingsuchseriesasCBS’ reporting more bookings. AndNew Silvercup andKaufmanAstoriaare — Janet W. Lee She isalsohopefulthatpositive adjust- While thestategovernment continues But Gothamsoundstagessuchas roved sanitary condi- Golden State. production inthe Girls” hasresumed NBC’s “Good the series. character in City another makes New York Mrs. Maisel” Marvelous Prime’s “The Amazon More Films Welcomes Oklahoma says. business forfilmand television,” she make Oklahomaabetterplace fordoing workforce and theinfrastructure —to stool —strengthening incentives, the “We’re working onthethree-legged the OklahomaCityConvention Center. tion sitessettoopenin2021,including can work infilmandTV,” Sofskysays. guests foralive performancevenue, you set isthatifyou canpullcablesorbook were hard hitby thepandemic,mind- pick upskillsspecifictoworking on-set. allowed anyone seekingemploymentto free coursesatacareer schoolhaseven menting safetyprotocols. Providing two demand over thesummerwhileimple- members toaccommodatethegrowth in unique transition oftraining newcrew with TVmovie “Harvest oftheHeart.” America toresume production inMay — ifnotthefirstlocationsinNorth of pilotsandindependentfilms.” as “full-fledged features andahandful biopic, starringDennisQuaid,aswell and OklahomaCityare the“Reagan” the productions thatwrapped inTulsa Oklahoma FilmandMusic Office. Among crew baseandtraining State offersgrowing Sofsky saysthere’s fournewproduc- “For ourmusicprofessionals, who At thattime, Oklahomaexperienced a The state was infactoneofthefirst — Janet W. Lee Tava Sofsky, director ofthe than in2019, according to filmed inOklahomathisyear more pilotsandmovies have espite theongoingpandemic, VARIETY ● 117 PARTNER CONTENT

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FILMING IN Slovakia

LOCATIONS: IN DEMAND workforce, who are linguistically versatile, In just a small area, Slovakia off ers many natural and generally off er low-priced services options as well as buildings of historical value, with compared to other European countries. There good travel connections and importantly, with only are couple of smaller size studios available short distances in between. Filmmakers can fi nd and converted warehouses that are used here culturally rich and diverse locations, including as soundstages. The majority of equipment medieval towns with over 180 castles, a wide rental companies are situated in Slovakia’s range of European streets, modern architecture, capital Bratislava. The latest grip equipment, industrial and urban settings, luxurious mansions, generators, cameras, sound equipment, light unique wildlife and picturesque nature. Slovakia is equipment and cranes are available in Slovakia; ZUZANA BIELIKOVÁ in the heart of Europe — easily accessible. Vienna however, equipment can also be easily rented FILM COMMISSIONER, Schwechat Airport (VIE) is only a 45-minute drive in neighboring Czech Republic, Hungary SLOVAK FILM COMMISSION from the capital. or . Graduate of the Prague‘s YOU’VE SEEN SLOVAKIA COVID RULES AND REQUIREMENTS FAMU, she has worked on various professional positions ON THE SCREEN Slovakia has reopened to local and international in fi lm production for almost Several high-end TV series were shot in Slovakia, productions, but those entering from countries 15 years.. She has also been such as the fi fth season of fantasy horror series that are not on a low-risk list need to quarantine actively involved in foreign fi lm marketing, where she “Van Helsing” (2020), BBC/Netfl ix series “Dracula” and are obliged to be tested for COVID-19 on gained valuable knowledge of (2019), Amazon’s action series “Hanna” (2018), the fi fth day of their arrival. However, the the current situation on the “Marco Polo 2” (2014) and the co-production mini- Ministry of Culture can provide exemptions for fi lm and television market in an international context. series “Maria Theresia” (2016), which captured the essential crew members. Once on set, crew life of the Austro-Hungarian monarch. The iconic needs to wear face masks and follow strict locations of socialist architecture from the second hygiene rules. half of the 20th century, which are often being scouted by domestic and foreign fi lmmakers, CASH REBATE 33% Slovakia appeared in the Hollywood hit starring Jennifer Slovakia’s cash rebate increased from 20% to recently raised Lawrence and Joel Edgerton, “Red Sparrow” 33% in January in an eff ort to attract more (2018). “The Auschwitz Report” (2020), Slovakia’s international productions. To qualify, international its cash rebate candidate for the 93rd Academy of Motion Picture productions must spend at least €100,000 Arts and Sciences award in the best international ($120,000) for individual feature fi lm; $60,000 to 33% to feature fi lm category, was fi lmed in various for documentary or animation; and $360,000 further attract locations around Slovakia. for television series of maximum 26 episodes. Projects can be registered for $1,200 and must international CREWS & INFRASTRUCTURE: pass a cultural test. CURRENT AVAILABILITY productions Slovakia off ers a highly skilled and professional Full details: fi lmcommission.sk/cash-rebate. that are looking for stunning BOJNICE CASTLE locations and value-for- money services.

118 | THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FILMING IN SLOVAKIA

1209 WV PARTNER CONTENT ADVERTORIAL - Slovak Film Commission.indd 2 12/4/20 12:37 PM 33% “Working with the local cast and crew from Slovakia has been an absolute pleasure. The skill set, talent, experience, and dedication to the craft is second to none.”

Morris Chapdelaine, producer of Van Helsing

www.filmcommission.sk #filminslovakiagoodidea [email protected]

Untitled-7 1 12/1/20 11:23 AM PARTNER CONTENT

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FILMING IN Estonia, Finland, Latvia

LOCATIONS IMPRESS WITH very fast compared to most competitors and the VERSATILITY administration in three countries can be described Each of the three NSFA countries have distinct as transparent and with minimal level of red tape. things to off er, while the common theme is pristine, diverse nature, ranging from Arctic PRODUCTIONS NOT STOPPING taigas to several diff erent types of forests, DURING COVID-19 thousands of lakes, archipelagos, long sandy There are currently no production stops and all beaches and exotic boglands. Estonia and three countries have both big-scale international Latvia boast both fascinating Soviet remnants — and local productions taking place with COVID brutalist architecture and abandoned factories instructors attached. All countries have a fast ETTIE MIKITA that have attracted productions such as “Tenet” COVID-testing system thanks to advanced medical and “Undergods” — and fi ne examples of companies, meaning productions have been NSFA PROJECT MANAGER, ESTONIA UNESCO-heritage medieval locations, baroque able to continue even as the infection numbers and classical architecture that featured in HBO’s have been growing again. Generally the infection “Catherine the Great” or the Korean historic epic numbers are below the European average, “Hero.” Finland lures with both urban settings — especially in Finland, which is among the countries The North Star Aaron Paul-starring sci-fi fi lm “Dual” just wrapped with lowest virus spread on the continent. production — and guaranteed snow and reindeer Film Alliance in the breathtaking arctic landscapes that have SKILLED PRODUCTION CREWS featured recently in Indian blockbuster “War” and Estonia, Finland and Latvia are home to highly leads you Estonia’s Oscar entry “The Last Ones.” educated, skilled professionals committed to their to versatile craft. This vast array of talent at your fi ngertips GENEROUS, FAST AND through local companies off ering 360° production, locations, TRANSPARENT INCENTIVES and coming to you with English fl uency, typical All together the three countries off er a generous for the region. Companies in the region have established national cash rebate scheme which can be topped off ered their services for some of the top-level fi lm industry up by additional regional incentives — Finland productions in the world, be it challenging has six, Estonia has three and Latvia has one — all action and battle scenes, constructing elaborate professionals, of which require a local partner for application. setpieces, high-end post-production, drone and eff ective The processing and cash-back payments are operating or shooting series for Netfl ix or HBO. incentive systems in three Northern European countries — Estonia, Finland and Latvia. Each unique, yet united in their versatility and shared values.

120 | THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FILMING IN ESTONIA, FINLAND, LATVIA

1209 WV PARTNER CONTENT ADVERTORIAL - Estonian Film Institute.indd 2 12/4/20 5:27 PM LET’S MAKE A SCENE!

North Star Film Alliance can help you discover Northern Europe’s best filming locations and first-rate professionals.

In association with:

@NSFAFILM @NORTHSTARFILMALLIANCE NSFA.FILM Beckons Productions Southern Hemisphere A working inapandemicadds multiple begin shootinginFebruary. on aninternationalTVseriesthatwill early Octoberandisinpre-production Netflix’s “TheCrown.” Disney’s “Avengers: AgeofUltron” and Warner Bros.’ “Mad Max: Fury Road,” tional seriesandfeature films, including It hasservicedmore than100interna- Cape Town-based Moonlighting Films. far sogood,” saysGenevieve Hofmeyr of adapt ourCOVID-19 protocols, andso a great opportunitytotest,refine and national shootswere allowed toreturn. health andsafetymeasures onceinter- try achancetoprepare thenecessary resume asearlyMay, givingtheindus- Domestic production was allowed to thriving production servicessector. welcomed by membersofthecountry’s hours ofdeparture, adecisionthatwas of anegative COVID-19 testwithin72 foreign travelers whocanprovide proof summer season. for theSouthernHemisphere’s busy and TVproductions resuming intime process andthere ismuchtolearn,” layers ofcomplexity totheproduction 122 South Africafullyopenforbusinessalthoughsomerestrictionsremain “From a production perspective, Moonlighting restarted production in “Starting production hasgiven us The newmeasures allow entryforall ● LOCATION UPDATE: THE BIGRESTART 2 with internationalfilm open forbusiness, Africa isnow fully early October, South travel restrictions in fter apartialliftingof ing inlate2020,” shesays, including “a tic projects thatare prepping orfilm- ward to“a very busyfirst halfof2021.” Scott, saystheindustryislookingfor- series executive produced by Ridley “Raised by Wolves,” theHBOMax sci-fi Widow,” starringKateBeckinsale, and Amazon Studios andITVdrama “The tion servicesonprojects includingthe er-director Paul W.S. Anderson. Hunter,” from “Resident Evil” writ- and Sony’s fantasyactionfilm“Monster movie “Bloodshot,” starringVin Diesel Omens,” Sony Pictures’ superhero try includeAmazonStudios’ “Good rises to50%. Black filmmakers incentive, therebate the requirements fortheemerging at 35%.For productions thatmeet starts for SouthAfricanco-productions fying localspend,whiletherebate claim a25%cashrebate onallquali- of locations. Foreign productions can speaking crews and adazzlingrange financial incentives, skilledEnglish- thanks toacombinationofrobust national filmandtelevisionshoots, of theworld’s leadinghubsforinter- each otherandtheproductions.” cooperation intheinterest ofprotecting nity hasbeenintermsofcomplianceand to seehow supportive thefilmcommu- Hofmeyr says. “It isvery encouraging Afrika, whichhasprovided produc- Recent projects tolensinthecoun- South Africahasgrown intoone “There are anumber of otherfantas- Marisa Sonemann-Turner ofFilm Afrika shows.” safe working practices across Film resolute anddiligentaboutensuring ects,” shesays. “Thelocaltalent remain solutions andsupportacross theproj- try are working tirelessly toprovide across theworld, we asthelocalindus- unprecedented —crisis. to recover from anunexpected — and to ensure theindustrywould beable South Africanshave rallied together lier thisyear, Sonemann-Turner says start date. 247 Films. Neither serieshasseta Entertainment inassociationwith + Television and Paris-based Federation betweena co-production SlimFilm adaptation oftheJules Verne classic, 80 Days,” theDavid Tennant-starring Shueisha, and“Around the World in Studios andtheJapanese publisher produced by theU.K.’s Tomorrow adaptation oftheiconicJapanese manga Netflix’s “One Piece,” alive-action be distributingtheseriesglobally. pay-TV channelM-Net. Fremantle will Quizzical Pictures fortheSouthAfrican and SouthAfrica’s Emmy-nominated by theU.K.’s Serena CullenProds. an eight-part crimeseriesproduced early 2021. that FilmAfrika willbeservicingin television series”returning high-end focus forallourproducing partners Despite thestringentlockdown ear- Production isunderway on“Reyka,” “While COVID-19 remains the Other upcomingproductions include — Christopher Vourlias conditions. films under safe by Fremantle, world sales “Reyka,” with Crime series issues atroundtable org withmoresupport,solutions New AFCItopperJenningsleads Players Global Impact And theAFCIhasanewpresident, New to theAFCIboard starting inJanuary. Owase, theKenya Filmcommissioner, AFCI membershipalsoelectedTimothy Emirates’ ShamsFilmCommission.The Development Corp. andtheUnited Arab Partnership, Canada’s LondonEconomic Cooperstown, OneontaandOtsegoFilm members, recently addingFilmCoop, the organization continuestoattract more duction community. Theprofessional never beenmore importanttothepro- 19 policies in their jurisdiction. 19 policiesintheirjurisdiction. speculation andconfusion aboutCOVID- helps filmoffices prevent misinformation, decisions duringthepandemic.It also information required tomake informed our website helpstheindustryaccess locales worldwide. Thisnewsectionof cies andrestrictions affectingproduction information onpandemic-related poli- Production Alerttoprovide updated have launchedtheAFCICOVID-19 Global meetings, webinars andworkshops, we those challenges? •> a trustedresource. vital informationandasserttheirrole as employ bestpractices, communicate we are focusedonhelpingourmembers in flux.Assafetyrequirements change, new setofvariables thatare constantly members? lenges thatAFCIcanaddress forits •> to meetnewchallenges. facilitating newconnectionsandevolving lenging timeby buildingonpast success, ward toleadingAFCIthrough thischal- very positive impact.Overall, Ilookfor- film commissionershasaprofound and production industry. Thework we doas as avitallinkbetween government andthe by thepandemic,andour membersserve can helpkick-start economiesdevastated COVID world. FilmandTVproduction our organization into2021andthepost- prior AFCIleadershipexperience tolead years offilmoffice experiencewithmy AFCI? •> members faceinthecomingyear. spoke toJennings aboutchallengesAFCI with suchproductions as“Mulan.” Film OtagoSouthland,whichhasworked was executive managerofNew Zealand’s board chairfrom 2016-19. For 13years, he Zealander Kevin Jennings, whowas AFCI What are you excited tobring And how canAFCIrespond to What are theimmediatechal- I’m eagertocombinemy many COVID-19 hasaddedawhole Commissioners Intl. has Commissioners Intl.has role oftheAssn.Film around theworld, the lockdowns incountries ith COVID still forcing In addition to online Inadditiontoonline 12.09.2020 Variety

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MIKE FARAH LISTEN NOW | variety.com/podcasts FUNNY OR DIE 124 ● LOCATION UPDATE: THE BIG RESTART 2 12.09.2020 Big Movies Stay in the U.K.

Government-backed support gives productions incentive to continue shooting

ince the U.K. government contributes $10.5 billion a year to the going on, ensuring everyone's mental training programs, so that a large pro- gave the production sector stars as “The British economy, employs 166,000 peo- health, and managing concerns about portion of their studio personnel and the greenlight to restart in Batman,” currently ple and has been growing faster than infection to make sure that people crews will be drawn locally. the summer, shoots have filming in the U.K. other any other part of the economy, feel confident that the production is The only cloud on the horizon is continued uninterrupted — after a September according to the British Film Institute. doing everything it can to protect them,” Brexit, and the ongoing trade negoti- for the most part — despite stoppage when he Underpinning the continued pro- he says. ation with the European Union, but tested positive for the tightening of restrictions on other duction activity is the British Film Among the changes that may become Wootton is confident that it “really F COVID. areas of the economy. Commission’s COVID-19 production more of a fixture in the industry, he says, makes no material difference to peo- Some high-profile productions, such guidance, which provides detailed is a reduction in location shooting, the ple coming to make films and television as “Jurassic World: Dominion,” “The advice on how to minimize the chances lessening of the number of people on [shows] in the U.K.” Batman” and “The Witcher,” have been of infection on set. The document set, and fewer crowd scenes, as well The visa regime will be the same forced to take short breaks when cast is continually updated as crews give feed- as an effort to reduce the precari- for U.S. and non-E.U. citizens, the or crew tested positive for COVID-19, back on the lessons they’ve learned, with ous nature of freelance employment. U.K. tax credit remains accessible to but such cases have merely underscored mass training reinforcing the advice. The Additionally, the Black Lives Matter foreign producers, the infrastructure how well the testing regimes have been introduction of a COVID-19 supervisor movement has added momentum to the remains unchanged, and British con- working. Other Hollywood productions as part of a crew has also been crucial to drive to increase diversity among crews. tent — which incidentally includes shooting in the U.K. in recent months ensure the guidance is applied. Meanwhile, demand for studio space, U.S.-funded movies and series shot have included “Mission: Impossible 7” The sector is engaged in “an evo- underpinned by the country’s 25% tax in the U.K. such as the James Bond and “Fantastic Beasts 3.” lutionary process,” during which the credit, is such that a number of addi- and “Fantastic Beast” franchises — Adrian Wootton, chief executive of the importance of the COVID-19 super- tional large studio facilities will be con- will still qualify as European when it British Film Commission, estimates that visor, health and safety training, and structed close to London. These include comes to E.U. quotas. That designa- production activity is at around 85% of the testing and tracing regime has been one led by pay-TV company Sky and tion is controlled by the Council of pre-pandemic levels, which has been reinforced, Wootton says, but also NBCUniversal, with 12 soundstages; Europe, of which the U.K. remains a facilitated in large part by a £500 million the need to safeguard the mental a second driven by Blackhall Studios, part. One of the few downsides of Brexit ($666 million) government-backed fund health of the crews, and key to that is with 20 soundstages; and a third, will be the need for British crews to to provide COVID-19 insurance. clear communication. steered by Hackman Capital Partners, use carnets — permission to export The government has given the sec- “Producers are having to be much with up to 12 soundstages. items without paying duty — when tor invaluable support, reflecting its more acutely sensitive to the transpar- The developers of these and other transporting equipment into the E.U. by Eli Countryman growing importance to the country. It ency of communication about what's smaller studios are looking to set up – Brothers Warner introducing

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Subscribe today at variety.com/introducingVIP Focus Features Blues andreds figure prominently for Carey Mulligan’s Cassandra. Young Woman’ Details of ‘Promising Devil’s in the Set 12.09.2020 ARTISANS of anavenging angel Fennell buildthebackstory time director Emerald Michael Perry helpsfirst- By JazzTangcay ideas forherfeature directingdebut. because shewasopen toawiderangeof Fennell turnedoutto be adreamforPerry, to viewers. safe spacestomake them lessmenacing Perry introduced warm colorsinnot-so- ists following an attackonherfriend. nights seekingrevenge onwould-be rap- who drops outofmedschoolandspends protagonist, played by Carey Mulligan, tray anemboldenedCassie, thefilm’s character’s life. lightness anddarknessofthemain Perry playswithcolortoshowthe release, productiondesignerMichael Woman,” setforaChristmasDay In thenewindiefilm“PromisingYoung Working withdirectorEmerald That meantusingboldhuestopor- VARIETY ● 123 “All herpain andvulnerability isthere,” Perry reflected that inhisdesignmotif. to hervengeance comestolight,and with childhoodpinks, butabackstory surface, theroom lookslike asafeplace, on amission—anavenging angel.Onthe revealed muchofwhosheis:awoman especially inCassie’s bedroom, which blue huesthatinformedhiscolorpalette, ticipating inlife.” that shewas inlimbothere andnotpar- living room,” Perry explains. “You felt kitchen andalltheway backintothe long shotswhere you couldgofrom the Cassie’s state ofmind.“It [enabled]great of thehousewas alsokey toreflecting the film’s off-kilter narrative. Thelayout Paintings ofdogsonthewall addedto like “a 1950sversion ofAmericanlife." the tablehasaplastic cover thatlooks brings herdateover fordinner, and “trapped intime.” Inonescene, Cassie in LosAngelesthathedescribesasbeing Michael Perry, production designer are going with the movie.” didn’tI want togiveaway where we Carey Mulligan,Emerald Fennell andLaverne Coxshare alaughonthefilm’scoffee shopset. 124 “Murder SheWrote” withpinkand Perry showed Fennell stillsfrom For Cassie’s house, Perry foundaplace ● ARTISANS was safeandshecouldbehidden.” says. “Butshecouldhang outthere; it you know there’s adanger coming,” he coffee cupandinthe restaurant, justso the oddbluewithtouchesofred onthe on thedayofshoot. ing thingsmanufactured andready togo went intoworking onsketches andhav- a fullday todress it,and muchofhisprep viewer understand whosheis. He had including colorschemes, tohelpthe Cassie works, offeringsubtleclues, again was thecoffeeshopwhere thought out” gets turnedonitshead. romantic spot,sothecozyatmosphere tage,” hesays. Butthecabinisfarfrom a the movie —it’s like thehoneymoon cot- to give away where we are goingwith in plaidwithearthtones. “Ididn’t want warm andnature-like, sohedecorated it that's setatacabininthewoods look Joan ofArc.” he says. “There’s alotofangelwingsand The designerplannedtohave ascene “I loved theideaofherbeing among A setPerry sayswas “very much

For Baobab Studios, partnering withthe By CaroleHorst Can ChangeLives Viewers onStories That VR StudioHooks Magda, voicedbyDaisyRidley,helpsdraw viewers intotheVRstorybylookingthemin eye. aliens [oranimals]before,” hesays. human personaeforVR.“We always had time thatBaobab animatorshave created the stylizedcharacters represent thefirst notes thatalthoughnotphotorealistic, officer andwriter-director of “Baba Yaga,” the United Nations.” understands boththeseissues—than organization topartnerwith—that Fan. “And we couldn'tthinkofabetter mentalism,” says Baobab’s CEOMaureen characters. Thesecondoneisenviron- It's anall-female cast withallfemale in thefilm.Oneisfemaleempowerment. to young Magda (voiced by ). others tolive harmoniouslywithnature Winslet, passesdown therole ofteaching case, thetitlecharacter, voiced by Kate handed down through generations. Inthis 2021, Baba Yaga ismore amantletobe ends ofwitcheswhoprotect nature. of “Baba Yaga,” inspired by ancientleg- change andsustainabilitytotellthetale org’s ActNow appforactiononclimate content, worked withtheU.N. andthe has won awards foritsdiverse, engaging was anatural step. Thecompany, which United Nations onVRshort“Baba Yaga” In theshort,settobereleased inearly Eric Darnell, Baobab’s chiefcreative “There are two really importantthings

the Forest (voiced by ). tasks whileBaba Yaga works toprotect eye contact,engagingthe viewer with in themiddleofstory. Magda makes immersive VRandputtingtheviewer is aboutplayingtothestrength ofthe them even more engagedinthestory.” quences totheiractions, whichmakes characters; theyfeellike there's conse- just care somuchmore abouttheseother when peoplefeellike theymatter, they inspire themtodream. “It doesseemthat is totapintopeople’s senseofwonder and during theendcredits. emerge delicatelyfrom your fingertips flower, orhave beautifuldiamondshapes that Magda gives you, orgrab amagic hand-held controls to, say, grasp alantern VR headset,sothatyou don’t needthe the hands-free settingontheOculus point, theviewer islocked inacage. chairs invite viewers to sit,andatone size withintheVRexperience: Bedsand ronments, whichare scaledtoviewer the characters’ movements andenvi- her,” saysDarnell. Alsoimportantwere to make you feellike you're connectedto potential tobevery, very meaningful,and when Magda looksatyou —ithasthe “That meansthatthingslike eye contact interacted withviewers like real people. had tomake sure thatthecharacters production designerGlennHernandez, animation supervisorKen Fountain and Fan saysthestudio’s missionstatement Darnell andhisteam,whichincluded The animationteamalsoleanedinto A key partofthestudio’s storytelling 12.09.2020

Promising Young Woman: Merie Weismiller Wallace / Focus Features; Baby Yaga: Baobab Studios The Prom: Melinda Sue Gordon/Netflix; Black Swan: Fox /Everett Collection; Aronofsky: Live Entertainment/Everett Collection 12.09.2020 “I hammeritoutas fast asIcan:first going tobestructural changes, hesays, everything isinplaceandthere aren’t switched toExcel spreadsheets. Once diagram ofthenarrative, buthe’s now cess atonetimeinvolved drawing aline in cinema,” Libatíquesays. est benchmarkforatheatricaldirector he thoughtofmostoften.“It’s thegreat- Minnelli’s performancein“Cabaret” that But itwas theway BobFosse litLiza color designin“TheVirgin Suicides.” or bluechair,” hesays. He alsoreferenced that were made, whetherayellow shirt that filmfelt,there are choicesincolor going for. “As realistic andnaturalistic as I usedthesamesetoflenses.” he explains. “Butastheworlds meshed, which provided asharper, crisperimage, the onset,andLeitzlensesforBroadway,” coating andalittlemore degradation at Falcon lensesforIndiana that hadless she’s alesbian.“Iused[low-grade] who’s barred from theprom because Emma (Jo EllenPellman), ateenager Broadway stars travel toIndianahelp Dee andafewotherdown-on-their-luck by latchingontoagoodcause, Barry, Dee decide theyneedtorevive their image actor Barry Glickman(James Corden) on openingnight.Whensheandfellow ning tofadeafterherlatest show flops a Broadway actorwhosestarisbegin- capture ’s DeeAllen, the cinematographer’s preference. himself —andMurphy went alongwith because hefeltwas startingtorepeat This time, hewent withsphericallenses 11 onNetflix, hechangedtheapproach. Broadway musicalthatpremieres Dec. the screen adaptationofthe2018 light toaddrealism tohisimages. of anamorphiclensesandworking with has becomeknown forhissignature use Cinematographer Matthew Libatíque By JazzTangcay Prom’‘The for ’s A Natural Look “Elephant” toconvey thelookhewas“Elephant” As forplanning, theDP’s prep pro- Libatíque referenced filmslike Libatíque usedlarge-format lensesto But forRyan Murphy’s “TheProm,” —MATTHEW LIBATÍQUE, DP A SCENE.” COME OUT OF HE WANTS TO HE KNOWS HOW A SCENE, AND TO GET INTO HOW HE WANTS RYAN KNOWS

feel genuine.” the characters made therelationships that’s whatIlove aboutthemovie —all other kidsreact toher,” theDPsays. “And of that,you gettheessenceofhow the character doingthebackstroke. “Because setting ofahighschoolpool,withthe the ideaforsequencetorealistic and dive,” hesays. AndMurphy moved “She spenttimelearninghow toswim that Pellman didnotknow how toswim. scene atthebeach.ButLibatíquereveals Emma was initiallysetasafantastical he explains. sets. “A lotofitwas improvisational,” Prom,” there wasn’t alotoftimetolight there was amplecast rehearsal for“The wants tocomeoutofascene.” to getintoascene, andheknows how he his transitions. He knows how hewants erage tendenciestobethoughtfulabout conscious editorially. He has above-av- make transitions better:“Ryan was super he shouldbefocusingonandhow to spreadsheet alsoreminds himofwhom and where thelightcomesfrom.” The thoughts, colors, camera movement Straight Outta Compton Libatíque hasbeenanin-demand A quickunderwater sequencewith Libatíque notesthateven though by anumberoftopdirectors. DP onhigh-profileprojects A StarIsBorn* Birds ofPrey Cinematographer Matthew Mother! SHOT MAKER Director: Director: Director: Director: Gary Gray A sample: (2017) (2020) (2018) (2015) Libatíque focusedonamore natural look. to move freely.” things, and[about]allowing theactors of encumbermentintermstechnical creating aspacethat didn’t have alot around tobeingonBarry. It was about magnifying glassonDeeandturned says. “Thetoneswitchedfrom having a ing theblockingandflow were,” he mances weren’t hard toget,butstructur- took awhiletoputtogether. “Theperfor- two reveal theirhistorytoeachother, between Barry andDeeDee, inwhichthe lighting afaceinthetraditional sense.” real life. Ihadtoembrace theconceptof says, “or somethingthat’s beenseenin “I trytoroute thelightintoreality,” he Meryl Streep, JoEllenPellman andJamesCorden are filmedwithlarge format lensesin“TheProm.” He notesthatthehotel room exchange Though celebrityisathemeofthefilm, Kobe Doin’Work The Fountain Black Swan* Inside Man Iron Man Aronofsky Director: Director: Director: Director: Aronofsky Director: Lee (2008) (2006) (2010) (2006) (2009) what thefilmwas supposedtobe.” bit better. We hadshotsomuch,we knew tus, you have achancetomake thingsa shutdown: “Anytime you have alittlehia- resumed fourmonthslater. ration withnewprotocols, production to finishfilming, andaftermuchprepa- the startofmovie. Thecrew needed ber “Just Breathe,” sungby Emmanear ing left,andanentire sectionofthenum- you.’ Shewas thelastperson Ihugged.” “I said,‘If Igetit,I’d rather getitfrom “She comestohugme,” Libatíquesays. “Zazz” withNicole KidmanasAngie. crew hadfinishedfilmingthenumber COVID brought production toahalt.The Requiem foraDream Libatíque found one bright spot in the Libatíque foundonebrightspotinthe But there were still fourdays ofshoot- Toward theendofshootinMarch, Director: Aronofsky Phone Booth Mathieu Kassovitz *Oscar nominated Joel Schumacher Gothika Director: Aronofsky Director: Director: Pi (1998) VARIETY (2003) (2002)

(2000) ● 125

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AwkwaC na, Actor The Mayor’s OL ce of Media & Entertainment Made in NY Award

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THURSDAY Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, Journalists

DECEMBER 17, 2020 Alana Mayo, President of 1 PM EST Gina Prince-Bythewood, Director, Writer, Producer Virtual Program 2:30 PM EST Online Networking Ali Stroker, Actor Loreen Arbus Changemaker Award

Untitled-18 1 12/4/20 4:15 PM 12.09.2020 VARIETY ● 127 REVIEWS

The Prom

By Owen Gleiberman

FILM REVIEW

Director: Ryan Murphy

Cast: Meryl Streep, James Corden, Jo Ellen Pellman, Ariana DeBose Meryl Streep and James Corden topline “The Prom.”

Among the shiny, bouncy, madly infec- tious musical numbers that are a big part of what make Ryan Murphy’s “The Prom” such an old-fashioned newfan- gled blast, one of the showstopping highlights is “Love Thy Neighbor,” which Trent (Andrew Rannells), a struggling Broadway drama queen, sings to a bunch of clean-cut and pious Middle American teenagers from James Madison High School. They’re at a shopping-mall food court, and the in having banned Emma (Jo Ellen Pellman), their fellow senior, from taking her girlfriend, Alyssa (Ariana DeBose), to the prom. Trent is about to give them a supremely catchy lesson in tolerance. The students insist that they’re good, nice Christian kids who all go to church. But Trent points out that there are a ton of rules they fracture every day — that they’re cherry-picking the Bible. “There’s no way to separate / Which rules you can violate,” he sings. “Love thy neighbor trumps them all!” The num- ber is like something out of “The Book of Mormon” crossed with “High School Musical,” and it puts its message across with a no-fuss crispness, as Trent and the kids sing and dance and flip the light fantastic. It sounds conventional enough, yet as the rhythm escalates and the danc-

Melinda Sue Gordon/Netflix ing peaks, there’s something about the 128 ● REVIEWS 12.09.2020

funny crazy snap of it all, the way the (James Corden), her co-star in a new It’s a knowingly absurd fish-out-of- song turns into a shopping-mall gospel musical titled “Eleanor!” (the two play water premise, with these neurotically revival merged with a romping chorus Eleanor and Franklin D. Roosevelt), are pampered urbanites arriving in a small line that evokes the bounding athletic celebrating the fact that they got through town where the fanciest restaurant is spirit of , that makes the mes- opening night, and they think they have a Applebee’s. What’s more, they don’t sage … well, sing. hit. But then the cast and crew head over give a flying fig about the cause they’re As a stage musical, “The Prom,” writ- to Sardi’s, where they read the review supposedly there for! It’s all just a pub- ten by Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin, in The New York Times, which skew- licity stunt — which sounds like an idea with songs by Beguelin and Matthew ers the show and accuses the actors of would have come up Sklar, premiered on Broadway in being “narcissists.” This is a pretty sly with for the age of . The rea- October 2018, where it ran for just under joke, because it lets the audience know son it works is that the creators of “The a year. The movie version draws on the that the drop-dead diva attitude and Prom” have concocted a liberal message best impulses of “,” the TV musical It’s the inner flamboyant theater-bug bitchery we’re movie that scathingly satirizes liberal series that elevated Ryan Murphy into squareness of ‘The about to witness in “The Prom” are, in message movies. “The Prom” is a musi- an über-brand. It tells a story of what their way, ridiculous. cal that has its Hollywood nobility and intolerance does, the way it crushes Prom’ — that fact With their careers in tatters, Dee eats it too, and has its high camp and individuals, in this case forcing a gay that this is now Dee and Barry, scooping up Trent the eats it too. That makes for one silly but teenager to hide her love away. Yet if actor-slash-bartender and Angie (Nicole zesty-tasting dessert. “The Prom” is a proudly liberated musi- a mainstream event Kidman) the lifelong chorus girl and There’s no denying that “The Prom” cal, it’s also one that reaches back to wannabe leading lady, decide to pool is on some level a knowingly assembled the incandescently wholesome musicals — that’s the most their resources and rescue their falling package of shiny happy film-musical cli- of the studio system. I greatly enjoyed adventurous thing stars by hitching themselves to a social chés. Yet Murphy, working with the cin- theatrical knowingness, the cause. Rejecting world hunger as too big, ematographer Matthew Libatíque, gives tossed-off PG-13 entertainment and about it.” they fasten onto the case of Emma, who the movie an intoxicating visual sweep, fashion barbs, but in a weird way it’s has made the national news. It seems that and the cast is inspired. Streep’s Dee Dee the inner squareness of “The Prom” — elating high-camp showbiz high. her desire to take her date to prom and is as hooked on being admired as Blanche the fact that this is now a mainstream The opening number is a snazzy fake- simply be the person she is has caused DuBois, but with a brassy awareness of event — that’s the most adventurous out. We’re on the street outside a Times a major kerfuffle, resulting in the PTA, her own shelf life. She’s the spirit of the- thing about it. There are moments when Square theater, where Dee Dee Allen led by the scolding puritan Mrs. Greene atrical celebrity incarnate, and Streep’s the film seems to have reinvented classic (Meryl Streep), a fabled high-mainte- (Kerry Washington), canceling the prom. performance of the number “It’s Not Hollywood for the 21st century. It turns nance, edging-past-her-prime grande Dee Dee and her crew will go to Indiana About Me” will leave you giggling with doing the right thing into a fizzy and dame of Broadway, and Barry Glickman to set things right! joy. Corden may be criticized in some quarters for portraying Barry as a gay stereotype, but like Christopher Guest in “Waiting for Guffman” he burrows so deeply into the character’s quibbling insouciance that he gives him a three-di- mensional essence. He’s soulfully funny and touching. And Keegan-Michael Key brings a disarming sincerity to his role as a lonely high school principal who, when Dee Dee’s around, seems to be waking up from a dream. The WGAW wishes to honor the following members “The Prom” is very much a movie about the “two Americas,” and part of for their devotion to their craft and contribution to all of our lives. its luster is that it portrays the conser- They will be missed. vative Midwestern one with dignity, even as it attacks the impulses of big- DANA BARATTA MICHAEL L. ROSE otry. Jo Ellen Pellman, who sings in a 11/10/60 10/18/20 STEPHEN W. J OHNSON 8/9/52 9/7/20 lilting soprano, endows Emma with a 1/30/48 10/1/20 tremulous radiance, a desire to be her- REUBEN BERCOVITCH GERALD SANFORD self that’s defiantly unpolitical, and in a 7/18/23 11/14/20 MALCOLM MARMORSTEIN 5/20/34 11/30/20 funny way it makes the movie unpolit- ical. She and Alyssa aren’t “fighting for 8/9/28 11/21/20 JOHN HERMAN SHANER the right” to attend a high school dance. 7/21/37 10/22/20 5/18/31 10/26/20 The movie takes that right for granted. SAMUEL MERRILL They’re fighting for the right to love and ERNEST FRANKEL 3/25/47 10/17/20 HERBERT F. S OLOW be loved like anyone else. The timing of “The Prom” feels karmically right, 1/15/23 9/19/20 WALTER C. MILLER 12/14/30 11/18/20 because it’s about the two Americas coming together. Whatever the film’s ROBERT GARLAND 3/15/26 11/13/20 KENNETH SPEARS fate — just another movie on Netflix? Or 5/1/37 11/21/20 LARRY MOSKOWITZ 3/12/38 11/6/20 an Oscar contender? (I’d believe either one) — that’s a story worth telling, and CHARLIE HAUCK 8/22/45 10/17/20 JEREMY STEVENS one that we need to hear. 10/26/41 11/14/20 3/16/38 10/27/20 DOROTHEA PETRIE CREDITS: A Netflix release of a Dramatic Forces/Storykey Entertainment production. Producers: Ryan Murphy, GARY HUDSON 8/17/25 11/24/20 KERRIN THOMAS SULLIVAN Alexis Martin Woodall, Adam Anders, Dori Berinstein, Bill Damaschke. Executive producers: Eric Kovtun, Doug Merrifield, Casey Nicholaw, Chad Beguelin, Bob Martin, 3/13/32 10/23/20 8/14/41 10/28/20 Matthew Sklar, Todd Nenninger, Scott Robertson. Director: JAMES REDFORD Ryan Murphy. Screenplay: Bob Martin, Chad Beguelin. Camera: Matthew Libatíque. Editors: Peggy Tachdjian, DAN JBARA 5/5/62 10/16/20 PHILIP J. WALSH Danielle Wang. Music: Matthew Sklar, Chad Beguelin, David Klotz. Reviewed online, Nov. 29, 2020. MPAA Rating: 2/22/64 10/21/20 3/20/63 9/30/20 PG-13. Running time: 131 MIN. Cast: Meryl Streep, James Corden, Jo Ellen Pellman, Nicole Kidman, Keegan-Michael Key, Andrew Rannells, Ariana DeBose, Kerry Washington, Tracey Ullman, Kevin Chamberlin, Mary Kay Place Skip Bolen/Showtime Your Honor By CarolineFramke Hunter Doohan,MichaelStuhlbarg, Cast: (10 episodes; 4 reviewed); Dec.6 (10 episodes;4reviewed); Limited series: TV REVIEW 12.09.2020 and Doohan’s vulnerable performance. visceral by Berger’s unflinchingdirecting we seeandfeelishisfull-bodypanic,made on theotherendofline. Otherwise, all to make senseofAdam’s shakybreathing logue comesfrom a911operator straining away. For several minutes, theonlydia- making itimpossiblefortheviewer tolook the more thecamera homesinon hisface, overwhelmed Adam (Doohan) becomes, is stark,unsparingandeffective. The more both reeling, bloodyandbeggingforhelp. with asickening crunchthatleaves them colliding inthemiddleofadesolateroad the caseoftwo teenagers, whoendup rate pathsintertwine—quiteliterally, in But it’s notlongbefore everyone’s dispa- this would seemparticularlynoteworthy. into theforeground, nothingaboutany of steadily creeping from thebackground shirt. If itweren’t forthefraught music taking abreath assweat seepsthrough his and graveyards withequalurgency, barely executive producer) jogsthrough streets a determinedman(Bryan Cranston, also Hope Davis) andhitstheroad. Meanwhile, doting parents (MichaelStuhlbarg and ager getsonhisnewmotorcycle, hugshis seat ofhiscar. Across town, aricherteen- his deadmotherresting onthepassenger his inhaler, someflowers andaphotoof goodbye andheadsoutforthedaywith friend (SofiaBlack-D’Elia), kissesher Doohan) wakes upinbedwithhisgirl- ominous patience. Ateenager(Hunter one chillyNew Orleansmorningwith Berger traces thegrowing uneaseof and terribleminutes, director Edward ror movie inandofitself. Over 15tense The openingof“Your Honor” isafullhor- In thiscriticalmoment,“Your Honor” Bryan Cranston, Showtime Honor.” stars in “Your Hunter Doohan cost himmore thanhecanpossiblyknow misstep asany: anawful mistake thatwill sees him,itfeelsasclassicahorror movie decision toleave thescenebefore anyone When Adam finallymakes thefateful tive relatively contained results insome it getslost intheweeds ofitsstorytelling. and intothelives ofitsmany characters, But as“Your Honor” sprawls further out producers shouldcomeasnosurprise.) Robert andMichelleKingasexecutive — counts“TheGoodWife” masterminds gered. (That “Your Honor” —getitnow? above allelseuntilAdam, hisson,isendan- Michael, ajudgewhoprizesmorality show’s linchpinisostensiblyCranston’s Based ontheIsraeli series “Kvodo,” the that subsequentepisodesstruggle with. Moffat focusonwhat’s atstake ina way Berger andwriter-showrunner Peter and itsimmediateaftermathmakes both most compelling. Detailingthisoneevent extremely tautfirstminutesare by farthe ahead ofthelimitedseries’premiere, these episodes of“Your Honor” madeavailable in thatoneterrifiedmoment. The show’s attempt tokeep thenarra- It’s nocoincidencethatofthefour the United States asawhole. Inthefirst as “Your Honor” would bethefirst tosay, that defineNew Orleans—andindeed, the politicsofrace, policingandprivilege complex web ofcharacters, itexplores to itsoverarching ambition. Through its include asmuchstorypossiblespeaks ing fortheworst possibletimetoemerge. everyone hasasecret on-screen justwait- thrown intothemixtoconfirmthatmost should. It’s just yet anothercomplication sideration orcriticalexamination thatit “relationship” doesn’t getnearlythecon- episodes in,thisinherently unbalanced friend turnsouttobehisteacher. Four twists like, say, thefactthatAdam’s girl- ened drama, itfindslessofareason for same dinnertableforthesake ofheight- unlikely group ofpeopletositaround the series findsaway to, forinstance, getan And sure, thatmaybeso. Yet even asthe purrs atonepoint,by way ofexplanation. connects,” Hope Davis’ deadlymatriarch ble. “ThisisNew Orleans—everything to another, nomatterhow implausi- just aboutevery character intheshow truly roundabout reasoning forrelating That theshow works sohard to Isiah Whitlock Jr.,Isiah Whitlock CarmenEjogo,Sofia Black-D’Elia Cranston, Hunter Doohan,MichaelStuhlbarg,HopeDavis, Ram Landes, RonEilon,Danna Stern.60MIN. Rob Golenberg, Alon Aranya, Ron Ninio, Shlomo Mashiach, Rob Golenberg,AlonAranya, RonNinio,ShlomoMashiach, Liz Glotzer,Edward BryanCranston, Berger, JamesDegus, CREDITS: Executive producers: witness over andover again. doesn’t make itmuchlessdisgustingto the show mayknow it’s wrong, butthat keep hisown familysafe. Bothheand ting powerless peopleinharm’s way to it’s Michael,a“nice”guywhokeeps put- around like dogsplayingwithroadkill. painful sequences, leeringcopsbatKofi tect Adam. Insomeoftheshow’s most age ofMichael’s desperate plans topro- unwittingly becomescollateral dam- Jones (LamarJohnson, aquietforce) consequences. For one:17-year-old Kofi their districtcan’t, withdevastating a way thatthepoorer Blackparents of to pullstringsfortheirteenagesonsin electric, bombasticStuhlbarg) are able whitejudge,a well-off and Jimmy (an hyper-realistic world. Men like Michael, dynamics andimplicationsatplayinits convey thattheteambehinditknows the four episodes, theseries takes painsto But thefaceof“Your Honor” isn’t Kofi; VARIETY Robert and Michelle King, Robert andMichelleKing, Cast: ● 129 Bryan Bryan female characters. Butbecausethey really interesting, complex, flawed directing them,managedtocreate these actresses, andthefilmmakers whowere Variety trilogy asmajorinfluences, Hart tells and DianeKeaton inthe"Godfather” Tuesday Weld’s performancein“Thief” character intotheheroine. Touting forming thestereotypically supporting after herhusbanddisappears, trans- forced togoontherunwithherbaby producer andstar RachelBrosnahan) ters onJean, by amobwife(played bowing Dec. 11 onAmazonPrime, cen- director Julia Hart’s “I’mYour Woman,” Inspired by 1970scrimedramas, writer- Rachel Brosnahan getsanotefrom writer-director JuliaHartonthesetof “I’mYour Woman.” By AngeliqueJackson 130 Julia Hart ● : “Inahandfulofscenes, these FACETIME I singingaromantic love songtomy a littlebitdelirious; you're like, “Am early motherhood, you're sotired and made himlaugh,soIkept doingit.In my oldersonand[whispers, “Ah-ooh”] kids every night.Ifirstsangthesongto song fitintothisstory? 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JuVee Prods. and Julius Tennon’s Davis with Viola Color” film “Fast ation of their a seriesadapt- is set to produce Headquarters banner Original Horowitz’s Hart and Family Affair: --- theme. the film’s main before. It became script thenight after reading the that she wrote an originalpiece Matsumiya shared composer Aska with Hart, phone interview During her initial Resonance: Rapid --- New York Hometown: --- Age: 38 Julia Hart didn’t know about Things you up withuseven thoughwe’re flawed and connect to, whounderstandandput that we’ll findotherpeoplewhowe can and found.How we’re alljust hoping film asbeingsoulsthatare inthelost it.” Ithinkofallthecharacters inthe into thework thatyou do. working withandspendingyour lifewith to bringhistoryandpeople thatyou love collaboration aswell. It’s really special and Marsha Stephanie’s friendshipand I feltlike Iwas beinginvited intoRachel came intoJordan andmy collaboration, also asamarriedcouple;soRachel come toourwork ascollaborators, but produced thefilm]andIobviously Jordan [Horowitz, whoco-wrote and her asaproducer? hiding. Whatwas itlike working with man whohelpsJean whileshe’s in for therole ofTeri, amysterious wo - •> they weren't one-dimensional. esting andcomplex [astheleadmales]; — theywere actually[as]equallyinter- supporting femaleroles in’70smovies of whatIfoundsoinspiringaboutthe characters thatinspired Jean isthatpart written. What’s interesting aboutthe as somany femalecharacters have been that beingthedefiningcharacteristic, to beawifeormother, asopposedto and particularities, buttheyalsohappen who have theirown hopes, fears, dreams are complex, flawed, authenticwomen my characters first andforemost. They a mother,” whichiswhatIstrive tomake interesting character whohappenstobe opposed to“Oh, Iwant toplayacomplex, [on-screen] motherhoodwiththat,as ing roles. Andtheymake associating support-offered are one-dimensional the characters andpartsthattheyget they're notwrong to, becausemostof I hearactresses saythatallthetime, and womanhood through Jean’s story? you want toexplore motherhoodand this scriptchangedhermind.Why did ing motherson-screen, butreading was lookingtomove away from play- •> beautiful andmelancholyimage. complicated. Ithought[that]was sucha nominee MarshaStephanie Blake Rachel Brosnahan hassaidshe Rachel recommended Emmy It's funny because 12.09.2020

Wilson Webb/Amazon Studios A LIVESTREAM PRESENTATION OF THE 34TH ANNUAL AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE AWARD TO SPIKE LEE

We invite you to join us in celebrating THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021 SPIKE LEE 6:00PM PST

Presenters (to date) ANGELA BASSETT, , & DA 5 BLOODS DELROY LINDO, JONATHAN MAJORS, CLARKE PETERS, NORM LEWIS, ISIAH WHITLOCK JR.

Proceeds will support the American Cinematheque’s pivot to create the AC Digital Hub providing virtual programming of our critically DFFODLPHGFODVVLFLQWHUQDWLRQDOLQGHSHQGHQW¾OPSURJUDPVDQGIRUWKHGLYHUVL¾FDWLRQRILWVSURJUDPPLQJDQGDXGLHQFHUHDFK

PLATINUM DIAMOND GOLD SILVER PATRON Kate Capshaw & Dolby Laboratories Sandy Climan/ TV Esther Chang Steven Spielberg Hill Valley Entertainment Media Grace Ford Salvatori NBCUniversal Hobson/Lucas Family Ventures Foundation & GRoW @ Annenberg Foundation Michael Douglas Wanda Cannon Hollywood Foreign ICM Partners Kempinsky Law Ltd. Patty Jenkins Press Association Katie McGrath & Steve Klinsky & Kleinberg Lange 1HW¿L[ JJ Abrams Maureen Sherry Cuddy & Carlo LLP Paramount Pictures Rick Nicita/Paula Wagner MGM Sue Kroll Variety Sony Pictures Todd Phillips WarnerMedia Entertainment PwC The Walt Disney Studios Rita Wilson & Tom Hanks

For tickets, sponsorships and more information: Mann Productions, 424.832.7434, [email protected]

Untitled-1 1 12/4/20 12:48 PM Untitled-15 1 12/4/20 4:02 PM